Nigeria

Daring to join the male-dominated world of Nigerian politics was a tough decision for Ladi Mamman Watila, particularly in the conservative north-eastern state of Borno. But in 2003, Watila ran for a seat in the House of Representatives (the lower house of the National Assembly of Nigeria) on behalf of the All Nigeria People’s Party. Most of her opponents were men who felt she was better suited to the kitchen than the rough and tumble of national politics.

Scores of female contestants under the aegis of Women Aspirants Summit in Abuja mobilised for effective participation in politics as the 2019 general elections draw nearer.

It was also canvassed that women should support themselves beyond their different political parties, adding that until they are properly represented in politics, modern democratic governance would remain a mirage in the country.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said Nigerian Women are more reliable in politics than their men counterparts, saying it is high time political leaders got them involved in the country’s politics. Obasanjo said this while speaking at the Women’s Power Lunch 2018 organised by Murtala Muhammed Foundation in Lagos, noting that his experience in governance between 1999 and 2007 had clearly shown this postulation. His assertion was immediately corroborated by the former president of the Republic of Mauritius, Prof.

During the precolonial era, women, traditionally, were allowed to participate in government and hold major roles in markets in parts of South-eastern Nigeria dominated by Igbos.

A former minister of aviation and the founder/chairperson of Women Leadership Institute (WLI), Dr. Kema Chikwe, has underscored the need to remove institutional, economic, cultural and political impediments to women participation in politics.

Dr. Chikwe who spoke in Abuja at the weekend at the inaugural conference and official launch of WLI, reiterated the call for gender mainstreaming to boost women participation in the decision making process.

A group, under the auspices of the Women Leadership Institute (WLI), has designed a curriculum to help neutralise African society’s perception about women’s participation in leadership. 

Barely eight months to the 2019 general election, stakeholders have expressed dismay at the declining rate of women participation in public service.

Speakers at the annual law week of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), at Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos; concluded that there is need to create women caucuses, stressing that that could encourage International Organisations to amplify and recognise the voices of female legislators.

The UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria Laure Beaufils, facilitated a brainstorming conversation with a diverse array of Nigeria stakeholders on barriers to women’s participation in politics.