Some stakeholders at a roundtable on Tuesday promised to synergise to improve women participation and representation in politics ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The roundtable which was organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) held on Tuesday in Abuja.
The roundtable was co-organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Women in Parliament and French Embassy in Nigeria.
The Executive Director of PLAC, Mr Clement Nwakwo, said that Nigeria as giant of Africa should set good examples for the continent.
He said that the record on the number of women in parliament and politics in general is not encouraging.
According to him, Ethiopia, Rwanda and South Africa have taken the lead in the area of women representation in politics.
The executive director said that the killing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Woman Leader in the Kogi Nov. 16 governorship election could discourage women participation.
Nwakwo said that in view of the fact that the number of women in politics was constantly reducing, there was need for special measures to change the situation.
He said that there was need for legislators to facilitate constitutional amendments and come up with a mechanism that would enshrine quota system in the constitution.
Representing the French Embassy in Nigeria at the event, Mr Raphael Pont, reaffirmed the commitment of the embassy to supporting human rights and gender equality.
Pont said that gender equality and women empowerment were necessary for any meaningful development in the world.
He said that equal rights and empowerment for women were important for their social, psychological and economic growth.
Pont said that the embassy would continue to support PLAC and other NGOs and Civil Society Organisations to achieve gender equality.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Women in Parliament, Rep. Taiwo Oluga (APC-Osun) appreciated the French embassy for their support.
She said that efforts made by PLAC and other civil society organisations were making the journey for women in politics easier and smoother.
According to her, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step; we have started and we will surely get there.
Oluga promised to follow up in the parliament to make sure more women were represented in the National Assembly in 2023.
The Chairperson, Nigerian Bar Association Women Forum, Prof. Oluyemisi Gbangboshe, said that the association was interested in issues affecting women across sectors.
She said that the association was willing to contribute to drafting a bill that would give a voice to women in politics and increase participation ahead of 2023.
Also, Rep. Aisha Dukku (APC-Gombe) and Chairman, House Committee on INEC and Political Party, said that she believed in the synergy between stakeholders.
She said that there was need to relax and bring out the best of ideas that would boost women representation in politics.
The lawmaker expressed confidence in the synergy saying that “this time around, we will get it right.’’
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