On Tuesday 25 October 2022, over 570 Nigerian women groups across the 6 geo-political zones converged in Abuja at the Voice of Women Conference where 6 Presidential candidates spoke on their gender plans and commitments towards 2023.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by his running mate, Kashim Shettima spoke about their inclusive antecedents when they served as governors of Lagos and Bornu states respectively. APC committed to appointing more women at the National level if elected in 2023.

The Labour Party Presidential Candidate Peter Obi promised to guarantee the reservation of a percentage of elective and appointive positions for women and youths.

The Social Democratic Party candidate, Adewole Adebayo committed to making women a priority if elected as an adequate representation of women in government would save the country from troubles.

The Action Alliance Presidential candidate Hamza Al-Mustapha agreed to sign a legal agreement with Nigerian women and ensure a new bill is passed into law to advance women’s participation in governance.

The Presidential Candidate for Young Progressive Party Abdulmalik Ado Ibrahim committed to ensuring that women are adequately represented in appointive positions if elected.

The African Democratic Congress candidate Dumebi Kachikwu promised to tackle the marginalisation of women in political offices.

The presidential candidates were presented with a copy of Womanifesto- the charter of demands of Nigerian Women by Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi who urged them to study and to implement when elected into office in 2023.

According to Toun Okewale Sonaiya CEO Women Radio 91.7, there will be monitoring of the incoming president on his gender appointments with a scorecard town hall meeting 6 months after to ensure the commitments made to Nigerian women are implemented.

The Voice of Women (VOW) Conference & Awards is an initiative of Women Radio 91.7 supported by the MacArthur Foundation. Partners of VOW2022 are Voice of Women Foundation, Womanifesto, WRAPA, PERL, NWTF, Bank Of Industry, Unilever and AWWDI

Esther Alaribe
Women Radio 91.7
news@wfm917.com