At conference, stakeholders chart path for women inclusivity, enhanced economic impact

Over the years, women have had poor representation in both political and appointive positions. With almost half of Nigeria’s population being women, only one woman has, however, occupied the top four positions in governance – Patricia Etteh as speaker in 2007. Five per cent of Nigeria’s federal lawmakers are women, which is a poor reflection of the potential of women, and more poignantly, the lowest representation rate globally.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the percentage of women who have contested and won seats have remained abysmally minimal. A look into the number of women who have run for elective positions from 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 elections show a decline in the 2023 elections.

While no woman has occupied the presidential and vice-president positions in the country, out of 109 senators, three women were elected in 1999 and 2003; nine women made it in 2007; seven women got elected in 2011, 2015 and 2019; with only three women scaling though in the 2023 elections.

With only 1,550 out of 15,307 candidates in the 2023 general elections as women, with less than five percent success rate, this is a far cry from a proper representation. Hence, these concerns led to Women Radio hosting the 7th Voice of Women Conference and Awards (VOW 2023) in Abuja.

Themed, “Repositioning Women for Greater Impact”, the conference brought together thought leaders, policymakers and advocates, who shared knowledge and innovative solutions to gender imbalance in leadership and governance. 

Convener, VOW2023 Conference and Chief Executive Officer at Women Radio 91.7FM, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, said policies and advocacies are in place to promote gender balance, huge gaps still exist in economic empowerment and leadership.

“This is why we have invited speakers from Namibia, Kenya, Namibia and Liberia and host country Nigeria to share practical steps and strategies on Women’s Inclusion, Economic Empowerment, Ownership and Effective Allocation of Financial resources with an outcome to develop a strategic policy document to improve women’s inclusion and leadership in Nigeria,” she explained.

Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, represented by Senior Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Ibrahim-Anas, affirmed that women represent nearly half of the nation’s population and also have a pivotal role in shaping the country’s future.

Highlighting the essential need for gender balance in governance and leadership, he stressed, “Nigeria cannot continue to stand on one leg, as we do at the moment. Women constitute almost 50 per cent of our population, and so, we need to complement each other by creating the right opportunities as every nation’s success is tied to the activities of women.”

In her address on “Women’s political participation and representation in Nigeria, delivered by Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Jewel Howard-Taylor, she challenged the status quo, questioning why, after 48 years since the Beijing conference, women’s participation in leadership remains around a mere 10 per cent. She argued that it was time for women to break this glass ceiling and reach a minimum threshold of 30 per cent representation within the next two years.

Kwara State Governor and Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, said 56 per cent of women hold key positions in his administration. Canvassing that government at all levels at least consider the landmark 35 per cent inclusion of women in governance including Permanent Secretary positions; he is committed to promise financial benefits for states and constituencies that elect women in the legislature.

“I have told the leadership of the Nigerian Governors Forum to work on a programme, which allows states that elect women into the legislative or constituencies to benefit say, five million naira, that way, constituencies will go for the money. This is similar to what happened in fiscal responsibility where states were told by the World Bank that if you publish your budget, you get two million dollars.

“So, if we have quarterly per-budget meetings where communities can contribute to what goes into a budget and not just the governor writing down what he wants for the community this will enrich governance and capacity building. If we have such governance on gender issues, I am certain that many communities will go for the money and by that they will get women to the table to make the right decisions that will bring the needed change.”

Abdulrazaq also noted that with the last constitutional amendment with nothing concrete done for women, and having a gender sensitive President, it is time the country pushed for constitution amendment with recommendations seeking deputy governor positions for women if governorship positions are not available.

Chairperson VOW2023, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, expressed concerns about Nigerian women under representation despite their educational and economic achievements. She pointed out that the Global Gender Gap Index placed Nigeria at a mere 130th out of 146 countries, highlighting the urgency for change. “Nigerian women are among the better educated and wealthiest women in Africa, yet this has not translated into political power. The level of representation of women in elective positions has gone down during the past four general elections.
“Nigeria is not only one of the countries of the world with the lowest level of women’s representation in elective office, but also where very little progress has been made in promoting gender equality. It is also worth mentioning that no female Governor has ever been elected in any of the 36 states of the federation.”

Fayemi, therefore, advocated for qualitative and quantitative representation of women at all levels of leadership, stressing the need for competent women to be positioned to drive agendas for change, as developmental goals cannot be achieved if women are left behind.

Chairperson, Nigerian Governors Wives Forum, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, harped on the essence of upholding conversations on women inclusion in governance and leadership, adding that as a collective this will further amplify the voice of every woman and girl.

While lauding the Kwara Government for its gender inclusion policy, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkiru Onyejeocha, urged that the Kwara example is replicated in other states, assuring that if this is achieved the issues of women will be far addressed. She described Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a gender sensitive President while appealing to the NGF Chairman to encourage his colleagues to be gender inclusive.

In a fireside chat on ‘Building Trust and Accountability’, which was moderated by Founder, Emerge Women Development Initiative, Mary Ikoku, the first female Black Councilor in Ireland, Yemi Adenuga, shared her experience contesting for a political position in a country that is not originally hers.

Adenuga charged aspiring women politicians to realise the importance of showing up for others and make impact in people’s lives. She also stressed the need for women to build people around them, and pay attention to the tiniest details of people’s need, provide services to humanity and lift people out of poverty as they go a long way to winning hearts and gaining votes during elections. “If I’m possible in a country that is not originally mine, you are super possible because you are in the home front and you can do it.”

During a panel with female fellows of the MacArthur Foundation, Women Radio Centre supported academy on using digital technology to amplify women’s voices through investigative reporting. The journalists shared their motivation writing compelling stories as it affects women who are the vulnerable in society. The panel was moderated by Ajibola Amzat, African Editor, Centre for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ).

At the Governors’ Wives panel led by Founder of She Forum Africa, Inimfon Etuk, First Lady of Ebonyi State, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, shared her efforts in fostering progressive transformation of women into leadership positions, noting that the state is also involving women in governance just like Kwara State.

“Every woman is a potential leader and as such attach value to yourself as a woman and also represent women confidently by showing capacity so that they will be considered for leadership positions. Women should also embrace ICT to move along with the world,” she said.

First Lady of Sokoto State, Hajiya Fatima Ahmed, noted that to cushion the economic hardship women face, her initiative is empowering women in skills acquisition while providing capital for business startups as well as follow-ups so that they can lead active lives and participate in leadership.

The First Lady of Gombe State, Hajiya Asmau Yahaya, said her initiative prioritise education of girl child as over 300,000 out of school girls are being enrolled into schools across the state with provision of basic needs to enable them remain in school. She is also advocating for sensitisation and awareness creation in communities to encourage parents to enroll their girls and children generally in school.

The First Lady of Osun State, Titilola Adeleke, harped on the economic and educational challenges women in her state are confronted with, while seeking partnerships to improve the lives of women especially through agriculture and local textile production (Adire).

On a panel discussion focused on The Path for a Progressive Nigeria moderated by the Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, highlighted the need for a comprehensive overhaul of institutions, attitudes, systems, and structures to advance gender equality as the rule of law was deemed essential to hold governments accountable.

Deputy Minister of Finance and Public Enterprise, Republic of Namibia, Maureen Magreth Hinda-Mbuende stressed on why her country leads in gender parity. “Namibia’s approach to achieving gender parity was characterised by engagement, concentration, and a paradigm shift. The emphasis was on carrying society along rather than imposing, demonstrating, and demanding change, which could lead to confrontation and suboptimal outcomes. It was acknowledged that involving men in discussions about women’s issues and ensuring their presence at the decision-making table were crucial. Namibia’s corporate sector has demonstrated substantial progress, with more than 60 percent of bank directors being females.”

The Commissioner of the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) in the Republic of Kenya, Dr. Margaret Karingaru, also underscored the significant improvements made since the amendment of its constitution in 2010 to include gender equality provisions. With at least six female governors now in office, Kenya has made substantial progress.

“The journey to gender equality in Kenya has been long, marked by the determination of trailblazing women who have consistently fought for women’s rights. The constitutional mandate now requires the inclusion of at least two third of either gender in all aspects of governance. The commissions established to address gender matters have become integral to the country’s politics,” she said.

Executive Director of the Sustainable Gender Action Initiative (SGAI),Mufuliat Fijabi, expressed optimism about the future of women’s increased representation in the National Assembly in Nigeria, noting that adhering to court judgments, fully funding the Ministry of Women Affairs, and ensuring that gender policies encompass various aspects of women’s lives, including health, education, and the economy, is key to upscaling women’s chances in leadership.