March 7, 2024
An International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO), CARE Nigeria, has called for more participation of women in various leadership roles in the country.
The Country Director for CARE Nigeria, Dr. Hussaini Abdu made the call in Abuja during the celebration of International Women’s Day 2024 with the theme; #InspireInclusion.
Dr. Abdu who was represented by the finance director of the organisation, Mariama Saidou said more participation of women in leadership roles, gender equality, and the promotion of women’s rights would benefit the entire country.
He however decried low participation of women in various leadership roles despite half of the country’s population being women.
He said: “The kinds of changes that women have fought for and made, have been improvements not only for women but for Nigeria as a whole. When we talk about the progress of women, we are talking about the progress of Nigeria.
“Approximately 50 per cent of Nigeria’s population are women, yet they are gravely underrepresented in government and other key decision-making institutions.
“Since independence in 1960; only one woman has ever occupied any of the top four positions in Nigeria’s governance; no woman has ever been elected governor in any of the 36 states.
“Accordingly, women represented about 10 per cent of the 15,000 candidates who contested for the recently concluded 2023 elections for the president, governorship, and national and State assemblies.
“This stands to be one of the lowest representation rates globally. Globally, Nigeria is ranked among the lowest ten women representation in national parliament by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).”
Dr. Abdu also added that the record shows that the representation of women in the National Assembly was getting worse.
He said: “Women’s representation in Nigeria’s national assembly is worsening with each passing election.
“In the last elections, only four women out of 109 elected candidates occupy the senatorial seats. The rhetorical question is how will women-responsive decisions be made?”
On the importance of the theme and efforts made by the organisation to foster inclusion, he said: “This year’s campaign calls for all women to inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion to forge a better world. When women are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
“As an organization, CARE Nigeria #InspireInclusion by advocating for and working towards women’s economic justice, supporting women and girls into leadership and decision-making platforms, working alongside women and girls to inspire them to make informed decisions about their health, and involving and removing the barriers for women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security.”
