Stakeholders Call for Action Against Electoral Violence to Empower Women in Politics
As electoral violence continues to undermine women’s political participation in Nigeria, stakeholders have called for urgent reforms as this would increase women’s political participation. A virtual webinar titled “Electoral Violence and its Effects on Women’s Participation in Politics” held on Tuesday 3 December 2024 highlighted the barriers women face in politics and explored strategies to ensure a safer and more inclusive political environment.
Saudatu Mahdi, Secretary-General of the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), highlighted the persistent challenges women face in Nigerian politics, particularly electoral violence. She called for reforms to create safer political environments and flagged technology as an emerging tool for violence against women, urging electoral bodies to adopt proactive measures to ensure their safety. Barrister Ebere Ifendu, President of the Women in Politics Forum, outlined the various forms of political violence including physical aggression, online harassment, and economic exclusion that hinder women’s participation. She highlighted stark gender disparities, with only 79 women in political positions compared to 1,457 men. Ifendu commended civil society initiatives like media safety training and legislative advocacy while urging the government to enforce the VAPP Act 2015 and political parties to establish gender desks.
Festus Okpeh of the Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN) shed light on the compounded challenges faced by women with disabilities in politics, including isolation and financial constraints. He advocated for affirmative action and urged INEC to promote opportunities for women with disabilities. ACC Ajet Kemi Alao of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) emphasised the role of security agencies in addressing gender-based violence during elections. She detailed measures such as alert systems, pre-election risk assessments, and specialized training for security personnel. Representing Connected Development (CODE), Ruth Okafor stressed the importance of policy implementation, male allyship, and engaging political leaders to embrace gender-inclusive reforms aligned with the National Gender Policy. She urged women to engage stakeholders and showcase their political capabilities actively.
The webinar underscored the need for collective action to combat electoral violence and enhance women’s political participation as stakeholders emphasised the need for legislative reforms, the enforcement of protective measures, and collaborations to create an equitable political landscape while reaffirming the critical role of women in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Oreoluwa Owolabi
Women Radio 91.7
