A group , under the aegis of Women in Politics, has called for more women participation and visibility in all elective and appointment positions, saying that it is worrisome to note that only 381 females out of the 4,259 candadates are contesting for elective positions in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The Forum also stressed that women can excel like their male counterparts in governance and appealed to the executive to ensure compliance with the 35 per cent affirmative action in appointive positions into public office in conformity with the National Gender Policy and the recent Judgement of the Federal High Court by Justice Donatus Okorowo.
Addressing journalists in Sokoto on Thursday at the NUJ Press Centre, the President, Women in Politics Forum, Bar Ebere Ifendu, raised the alarm that only a political party ,the APM, out of the 18 displayed by Independent National Electrical Commission (INEC), fielded a woman as its presidential candidate.
Women in Politics is part of the Electoral Integrity and Accountability in Nigeria project funded by the Mac Arthur Foundation, implemented by WRAPA in partnership with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, 100 Women Lobby Group, and Elect Her.
Ebere said, “1,101 candidates are vying for the 109 Senatorial seats and 3,122 candidates contesting for the 469 legislative positions. An analysis of the candidates according to gender, shows that there is only one (1) female candidate for the Presidential election.
”That of the APM which therefore represents just 2.77 per cent of presidential election candidates with no party fielding a female as the vice presidential candidate.
“For the Senate, out of 1,101 candidates vying for 109 Senatorial seats, 92 are women. (8.35 per cent) while while 288 women are contesting for House of Representatives out of the total 3,122 candidates, representing 9.2 per cent .
“‘Cummultively, there are 381 women among the total 4,259 contestants for the presidency, (presidential candidate and running mates) and the National Assembly seats. This represents 8.9 per cent of the candidates”.
Ebere further charged the National Assembly to pass relevant laws that will promote women participation in politics, adding that nobody gets elected without the support of the women.
She also urged the media to consistently project women in good light by giving them the desired visibility to communicate their visions and missions to the electorate.
To the traditional, religious and community leaders, Ebere appealed to them to be advocates, champions and drivers of women participation in politics from their various spaces.
Speaking in the same vein, the State Coordinator of Mariya Tambuwal Development Initiative (MTDI), Hajiya Fatimah Khalid, appeled for a change of orientation towards entrusting women with political positions in the state.
On her part, the Special Adviser to Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Human Rights, NGOs and Donor Agency, Hon Ubaida Mohammed Bello, said consistent advocacy and orientation will enhance women participation in politics.
