Kwara Female Political Stakeholders Decry Exclusion in Local Government Primaries
According to a news report from the Nigerian Tribune, female political stakeholders in Kwara State have condemned the alleged subtle exclusion of women candidates by political parties in the ongoing local government election primaries in the state.
Speaking with journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday, the leadership of civil society organisations in the state, led by the Executive Director of Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV), Mrs. Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi, expressed concern that the presence of women in political offices remains disproportionately low, despite women constituting a significant portion of the electorate.
The group accused political parties of playing a pivotal role in this issue, stating that parties often perpetuate traditional gender roles and fail to provide equal opportunities for women candidates.
“The subtle exclusion of women by political parties takes various forms, such as lack of support for women's candidacies, biased media coverage, and a dearth of financial resources allocated to women candidates.
“These practices contribute to a political culture that is unwelcoming to women, thereby reinforcing the gender gap in political representation,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the League of Women Voters, Hajia Bilqis Oladimeji, said that political parties have not been taking the 35% affirmative action into cognizance in zoning positions within the LGAs in Kwara State.
Oladimeji also said that free tickets announced by political parties for women had not translated to the meaningful emergence of women for key political offices in the state.
“We, therefore, call on political parties to honor the 35% affirmative action as enshrined in conventions, treaties, and agreements.
“Women should be given a chance and wholly supported to attain offices within the LGAs, including the chairmanship position.
“The time to position Kwara State higher as a gender-friendly state is now through the LGA elections. As such, we must not relent in pushing women to the front.
“Political parties should support women to emerge not only as women leaders and vice-chairpersons within ward levels but also to hold other major offices to enhance decision-making.”
Cloud Tag: What's trending
Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.
Muftau Akanbi Oke Olugbense Agboola Abdulraheem Halimah Perogi Olaiya Lawal Abioye Bello Olaoye B. Felix Alliance For Democracy Federal Polytechnic Offa Yakub Lai Gobir Osuwa Aisha Gobir Issa Baba Bola Iyabo Ibiyeye Adisa Oyawoye Makama Of Ilorin Kannike Aishatu Ahmed Gobir Kwara Coalition Of Business And Professional Associations AIT Ilorin Ado Bayero Abubakar Suleiman Gurei Jamiu Oyawoye GANZY JUSUN Salary Abdulmajeed Wahab Lasiele Alabi Yahaya ASKOMP Mohammed Yisa Ibrahim Taiwo Road Shehu Salau Volunteers Of Ilorin Community And The Emirate Muhammad-Mustapha Suleiman Femi Gbajabiamila Galadima Prince Bola Ajibola Shuaib Jawondo Adeola Abraham Babatunde Idiagbon Kayode Zubair Sobi Hill Baboko Ibrahim Issa Jetti Saudat Abdulbaqi Abubakar Aliagan Isiaka Alikinla Nigerian Medical Association Kwara Hotel Baruba Abdulrahman Abdulrasak Elerin Of Adanla Irese Oniwasi Agbaye Ogbondoroko COVID Bahago UITH 2023 Elections Mohammed Saidu Dogara Lawan Sidikat Alaya Galland Marcias Lanre Aremu Charles Ibitoye Oke Sunna NAWOJ Saraki Bayo Lawal Abdullahi AbdulMajeed Oro Grammar School Alimi Suleiman Mora Omar Yusuf Amuda Aluko Buari Edun Sidikat Uthman Ajibola

