Traditional institutions in Kwara State have called for intensified advocacy to encourage young women to participate actively in politics.

The Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Dr Atolagbe Jos, made the appeal when he received officials of the UN Women-backed Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV) in Ilorin.

Dr Atolagbe said sustained sensitisation, education, and confidence-building programmes are essential to embolden women to aspire to political offices.

He commended the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration for significantly increasing the number of women in politics and governance, proving that investment in female education and leadership yields results.

"This has showed us that we can spend on women education and that women are capable of holding political offices with effectiveness," he said.

While noting that Ilorin Emirate encourages both male and female participation in politics in line with Quranic principles, he urged women aspirants to maintain dignity and reject passive roles.

He charged WOYODEV to organise regular seminars, enlightenment lectures, and interpersonal engagements to prepare women for dignified political participation.

WOYODEV Executive Director, Mrs Apiriola-Ajayi, explained that the advocacy visit to religious and traditional leaders became necessary because Nigeria's political space is still heavily shaped by cultural norms, religious interpretations, and traditional gatekeeping that favour male dominance.

She highlighted the consequences: persistently low female representation, hostility and violence against female aspirants, difficulty in securing party nominations, and women being relegated to foot soldiers rather than candidates.

Another team member, Dr Zainab Bolajoko Balogun, described the 2027 elections as a strategic opportunity for change, listing the proven benefits of women's leadership: greater investment in education and health, reduction in community violence, fairer resource distribution, stronger accountability, and better protection for widows, youths, and vulnerable families.

"When a woman leads, the whole community rises," she declared.