Elections

In the run-up to Nigeria’s general election, starting this Saturday, more and more organisations are trying to turn the tide and get more women into elective positions.

Lois Auta’s foray into Nigeria’s male-dominated political space was, for her, a necessity.

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Shakti, a non-partisan collective for women in politics, has been doing several campaigns to push for more women candidates.

When Bolanle Aliyu decided to run for governor of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, even her husband was initially reluctant to support her.

The status of women’s political participation in Nigeria is low, with less than 5 per cent of women holding political positions. Lois Auta, 38-year-old polio survivor from Abuja, is all about changing the status quo. Auta is a candidate in the upcoming elections for the House of Representatives and received capacity-building training from UN Women.

Ahead of Nigeria’s presidential elections on 16 February, UN Women and partners have been training women candidates, documenting political violence and advocating for measures to boost women’s low representation in Parliament.

Women Radio 91.7 has embarked on advocacy visits to stakeholders of democracy in a bid to ensure 2019 general elections is peaceful and non-violent to increase women’s participation.

Although the 2020 presidential cycle remains in its initial stages, the race for the White House is expected to draw an historic number of women candidates — with many already having taken steps towards running and others rumored to be considering campaigns.

As of the end of January, women accounted for half of the expected 2020 Democratic field, or four out of the eight major party candidates who had formally announced campaigns or launched presidential exploratory committees.