Nigeria

Unfriendly political environmental factors, culture, tradition and religious belief, low level of education as some of the barriers militating against Nigerian women’s participation in politics. Barriers, including gender discrimination, marginalised party policies, lack of confidence and self assertion, family value, among others, also prevent women from playing active roles in the Nigerian political terrain, declaring that these notwithstanding, women still had important roles to play in the political arena.

PREMIUM TIMES investigations have shown that women are under represented at the ongoing national conference in Abuja.

There are roughly 78 women out of the 492 delegates attending the conference, which is less than 20 per cent, and far below the widely agitated 35 per cent affirmative action plan in Nigeria.

Data from the 2006 National population census shows that out of the country's total population of over 140 million, over 71 million are male while over 69 million are female.

Women Affairs Minister Hajiya Zainab Maina has called for the adoption of special measures to entrench affirmative action-certain percentage of women- in both elective and appointive positions at all levels in the 2015 elections.

She made the during her key-note address at a 2-day for female parliamentarians on state legislatures on affir-mative action and the quota implementation guideline.

We invite you to read the full article published October 30, 2013

IF elected, Chief Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has promised to ensure that women constitute at least 35 per cent of all his appointments.

In an interview with reporters shortly after attending the sensitisation workshop for political parties and stakeholders in Awka, Obiano also promised to establish more vocational and skills acquisition centres in the state.

We invite you to read the full article published October 29, 2013

The Country Director of the United Nations Women, Dr Grace Ongile has challenged the Nigerian government to ensure gender mainstreaming at all levels.

Doctor Ongile at a meeting in Abuja pointed out that Nigeria has one of the worst cases of gender inequality, violence against women and illiteracy.

To reduce this trend, the United Nations representative called for more synergy between international organisations, government at all levels and members of civil society organisations.

Nigeria has committed itself to accelerate the national and regional implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, especially on women, peace and security, Women Affairs Minister Zainab Maina has said.

Maina disclosed this when she addressed member states during the Third Committee of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Friday.

"Nigeria is making progress in implementing resolution 1325 as follow-up of the regional workshop on the resolution that took place in Dakar, Senegal, in April 2013.

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, on Tuesday urged more Nigerian women to vie for elective positions in 2015.

Dame Jonathan said this in Owerri in a message to the inauguration of Coordinators of Women for Change and Development Initiative (W4CDI) ,  her pet project.

The First Lady was represented by Dr Rabi Ibrahim, the National Coordinator of W4CDI.

We invite you to read the full article published September 17, 2013