Former Nigerian Minister Urges Electoral Commission to Encourage More Women in Politics
In a bid to promote gender equality, Pauline Tallen, a former Nigerian minister of Women Affairs, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create favorable conditions that will encourage more women to participate in politics.
Tallen made this plea while speaking at the inauguration and unveiling of a book titled “From Margins to Mainstream” in Abuja. The book, written by Nikky Onyeri, a gender advocate and politician, highlights the struggles and achievements of women in Nigeria.
According to Tallen, the low number of women in politics is a cause for concern, and political parties must also make their conditions flexible to encourage more women to participate. She urged women to come out en masse to vote for the right candidates in the forthcoming Edo and Ondo elections.
Tallen also commended President Bola Tinubu for carrying along more women in his government, but emphasized that more needs to be done to achieve gender equality. She praised the first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, for her efforts to support and empower women through her pet project.
Onyeri, the author of the book, was inspired to write the book based on the struggles she had seen by women groups in the last 30 years. She is a breast cancer survivor and was part of protesters who called for the passage of five gender bills in 2023, although the bills were not passed.
The book launch was attended by dignitaries from both the private and government sectors, and it included the conferment of awards of excellence on individuals who have distinguished themselves in human endeavors.
The event also saw the chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Simon Ikechukwu, call for gender inclusiveness to be made global, rather than limited to Nigeria alone. He commended the author of the book and urged men to stop violence against women.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the occasion was attended by dignitaries from both the private and government sectors.
About the Book
“From Margins to Mainstream” is a 200-page book that highlights the struggles and achievements of women in Nigeria. The book is a call to action, urging readers to think about women and their roles in society. The author hopes that the book will promote literacy and inspire readers to take action to promote gender equality.
Conclusion
The book launch was a significant event that brought together stakeholders from both the private and government sectors to discuss the importance of promoting gender equality in Nigeria. The call by Tallen for INEC to create favorable conditions for women to participate in politics is a timely reminder of the need for gender inclusiveness in Nigeria’s political space.
