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.
Abdullahi Imam Abdullahi Abdulwahab Oba Economic And Financial Crimes Commission Akeem Olatunji Joseph Alex Offorjama Wahab Kunle Shittu Ajike People Support Centre Nigeria Governors\' Forum Babs Iwarere Kolade Solagberu Ibrahim Abduquadri Abikan Garba Ayodele Wahab Sardauna Of Ilorin Ben Duntoye Olatunji Ibrahim Mohammed Yisa Federal College Of Education (Special), Afon Moro Alabi Olayemi Abdulrazak Yekeen Alabi Victor Gbenga Yusuf 08001000100 Mohammed Halidu Moses Salami Borgu Kunbi Titiloye Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning And Empowerment Idris Garba Taofeek Ibraheem Kwara State Polytechnic Just Law Forum HAMFAT Clinic And Maternity Jumoke Gafar Olabimpe Olani Kamaldeen Kehinde Galland Marcias Tanke Road Shehu Adaramaja Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq Sa\'adu Salahu Abdulraheem Yusuf Quareeb Islamic Association Ilesha-Baruba-Gwanara Mahee Abdulkadir School Of Nursing Afeyin-Olukuta Salman Alada Salmon Babatunde Salmon Kayode Zubair Shehu Jimoh Muhammadu Buhari Igosun Abiodun Jacob Ajiboye Colleges Of Education Academic Staff Union Hijaab Saudat Abdulbaqi Cornelius Fawenu Moses Adekanye Yomi Adeboye Adamu B. Yaqubu Abdulkadir Orire Abraham Ojo Okin Malt Sarafadeen Kayode Akorede Adebayo Mohammed Kamaldeen Edret Sabi Abel Abdulmumini Sanni Jawondo Idofin AGILE Programme Ajibola Saliu Ajia Kwara State Pension Board Danhawa Okanlawon Taiwo Forgo Battery Company Limited Plat Technologies Limited Oba Sulaiman Asude Muhammed Aliyu

