IWD: Adopt measures to increase women participation in politics, EU tells political parties

The European Union (EU) has called on political parties in Nigeria to adopt robust measures and strategies to increase women participation in politics.

Samuela Isopi, EU ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), made the call on Friday during a women in parliament summit, in commemoration of the International Women’s week, in Abuja.

Isopi said political parties need to ensure at least 30 percent of women in their decision-making bodies.

She said women participation at all levels of politics is crucial to achieving peace, equality and sustainable development.

“The ongoing constitution reform process presents an opportunity to adopt an inclusive legal framework that promotes equal participation of all Nigerians regardless of gender, ethnicity, age and disability status,” she said.

“In Nigeria, the advocacy for women’s political participation has been long drawn, and in spite of the very dynamic interventions by women’s groups and other key stakeholders, their representation remains in steady decline.

“For example, women’s representation in the 10th national assembly is 7.4 percent out of 469 combined seats in the senate and house of representatives.

“There has been no woman elected governor in Nigeria’s 25 years of democracy and the percentage of women appointed to political positions still falls significantly short compared to men.

“I am not quoting these figures to make it seem impossible, but to show that it is indeed possible.

“It is recognized that political parties are the ‘real gatekeepers’ on women’s political empowerment. If the political parties institutionalise gender equality measures and transform from within, it will have a direct impact on women’s equal participation and representation in Nigeria.

“The political culture in Nigeria is underpinned by patriarchy and the ‘unwritten’ rules on male privilege within political parties. Oftentimes, only women whose husbands support them or have a legacy of family political activism make it to the top.

“On our own part, Gender equality and Women’s Rights are a top priority of the European Union. This is true internally and regarding the EU’s approach to international cooperation.

“To achieve this, the EU launched its third Gender Action Plan on 25 November 2020.

“The Gender Action Plan aims to help establish a gender-equal world, where women and girls enjoy their human rights in full, and fairer societies, in which everyone has the space to thrive with no one left behind.

“The EU has provided support to women’s political participation since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

“Technical support has been provided within the framework of our electoral cycle support programmes, which is now in the value of over 180 million Euros.

“We have developed a variety of approaches to support women’s political participation.

“Efforts focus on women in politics, women as candidates, and women as voters, as well as in electoral observation.”

She called on political parties to  review and reform all founding policy documents which include constitutions, manifestoes, party rules, and procedures to ensure gender equality.

‘LEGISLATIVE REFORMS NEEDED’

Also speaking, Cynthia Mbamalu, director of programme, Yiaga Africa, said intentional efforts are needed to increase participation of women in politics.

“In 1960, Nigeria had its first female senator, Wuraola Esan. However, 64 years later, we just have 3 senators that are women, out of the 109 senators in the national assembly. That is not progress,” Mbamalu said.

“This is a call for governmental action to ensure the amendment of the constitution to increase women representation.

“We need intentional efforts that can be taken to ensure legislative reforms, specifically, constitutional amendments that can increase women representation.”