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.
Democracy Day Gbenga Awoyale Abdulrahman Onikijipa Eruku Oyun Abdullahi Dasilva Yussuf Ubandoma Kudirat Arinola Lawal Busari Alabi Alausa Rasaq Jimoh Ilorin Metro Park Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh Abdullahi Biffo Garba Idris Ajia Abdulwahab Ololele Oniyangi Abubakar Lah MATTA Girls Foundation Adedipe Shonga Farm Project Chartered Institute Of Personnel Management Of Nigeria Fatimoh Lawal Kwara Pdp Ayobami Seriki KWSUED Otunba Taiwo Joseph Erubu Oba Zubair Abdulhakeem Amao AbdulQowiy Olododo Abdulkadir Jimoh Oyin-Zubair Abiodun Oyedepo Rashidi Yekini Pacify Labs Olusola Saraki Elelu Aremu Bose Deborah Raliat Elelu-Habeeb Olaosebikan Waziri Yakubu Gobir Bamidele Adegoke Kwara Consultative Forum Yusuf Aiyedun Ilorin West Abatemi Usman Offa Grammer School Ajidagba Umar Yakubu Jaja Elerin Of Erin-Ile Kwara Apc Oke-Odo Omupo Wahab Isa Issa Oloruntogun Okanlawon Musa Awoye Societe Generale Bank Of Nigeria Ejidongari Folajimi Aleshinloye Muideen Olaniyi Alalade Irepodun Sulyman Atolagbe Alege Roheemat Hammed Oba David Oyerinola Adedunmoye Salihu S. Yaru Saheed Popoola John Obuh Bello Oyedepo Edret Sabi Abel Umar Bayo Abdulwahab Pakata Chief Imam Of Ilorin Usman Rifun ITP Dauda Adesola Olohungbebe Alanamu

