A women’s rights group in Nigeria is urging the government to appoint more women to key positions in order to strengthen the democratic process. The Women’s Voice and Leadership Project (WVLP) of Action Aid Nigeria argues that the underrepresentation of women in government obstructs their full participation in society.
Speaking in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, Mrs. Francisca Effiom, the Project Coordinator of WVLP, expressed concern over the low involvement of women in politics. She highlighted that since the return of Nigeria to democratic rule, there has been a persistent failure to meet the recommended 35% affirmative action for women’s representation in both elective and appointive positions. Effiom emphasized the importance of women’s inclusion and participation in building strong, effective, and legitimate democratic institutions.
Mrs. Effiom stressed, “GADA will continue to advocate for an equitable playing field for women as voters and candidates. We will push for increased appointments of women in Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole.”
The WVLP, implemented by Gender and Development Action (GADA) and funded by Global Affairs Canada with support from ActionAid Nigeria, has been working to economically empower women. Over the past two years, GADA has successfully implemented various initiatives aimed at breaking down systemic barriers that prevent women and girls from fully participating in Nigerian society, particularly in leadership roles.
One of GADA’s accomplishments is the financial empowerment of 120 women through a skills acquisition program. Most notably, two-thirds of the trained women have returned to their communities to train others. Additionally, GADA conducted training for women in refugee communities on soap and hand sanitizer production, leading to their successful transition into entrepreneurship.
Nnenna Ugbor, the Project Officer of WVLP, shared that GADA is actively engaging with young women and girls interested in politics in Calabar’s tertiary institutions. Through data collection, 30 girls were selected and trained for political activities, and 11 of them have been inspired to pursue leadership positions and participated in recent Student Union Government elections.
Furthermore, GADA has been conducting successful advocacy and consultative meetings with key stakeholders to encourage women’s political participation. These achievements highlight GADA’s unwavering commitment to gender equity, women’s empowerment, and the eradication of gender-based violence.
As the women’s rights movement in Nigeria gains momentum, the demand for equal representation in government positions continues to grow. Achieving gender parity in leadership is not only crucial for women’s empowerment but also essential for building a more inclusive and progressive society.
