IMS calls for increased capacity building, more political participation of women

The Institute for Media and Society (IMS) has called on stakeholders to be committed to actions that promote increased capacity building on digital literacy and deepened political participation of women to strengthen democracy and development in Nigeria.

In a statement signed by the Executive Director of IMS, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, the group noted that this call is made as the world commemorated International Women’s Day (IWD), yesterday, which is a day set aside to recognise the social, economic, cultural, and political accomplishments of women, and to encourage people to speak out against discrimination based on gender, and build an inclusive society.

Akingbulu stressed that the theme for this year’s event is “DigitALL: Innovation And Technology For Gender Equality,” noting that it aligned with the priority theme for the upcoming 67th Session of the United Nations on the Status of Women (CSW-67), “Innovation And Technological Change, And Education In The Digital Age For Achieving Gender Equality And The Empowerment Of All Women And Girls.”

IMS, therefore, said that the day is particularly significant in Nigeria, because the history of the nation can only be completed with reference to meaningful contributions of strong, tenacious and goal-getting women, who have enhanced the development of the country.

The statement reads: “It is on record that Nigerian women have continued to perform actively in all areas of our national life and turn out accomplishments, which deserve to be honoured all the time.”

“As we celebrate women in Nigeria and the world over, we also want to acknowledge challenges that still need to be addressed so that women will be able to realise their full potential and take their contributions to greater heights.”

Akingbulu noted that women are still under-represented in politics. He explained that statistics of women in elective and appointive positions in Nigeria indicates a far cry from expectations.

He added: “Barriers are stacked against women within political parties and in the electoral process. We use this occasion to call on stakeholders, state and non-state actors, to renew commitment towards addressing under-representation of women in political and public offices.”

The group emphasised that it acknowledges that realities of the COVID-19 pandemic and government policies have amplified pre-existing challenges encountered by women and girls, such as poverty, domestic violence, education, healthcare and others.