By Gloria Ikibah
As part of its continued efforts to increase women’s political participation in Nigeria, the European Union (EU) has supported a key dialogue focused on women’s inclusion and representation in governance.
The dialogue held in Abuja on Monday, was organised by the 10th House of Representatives in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), created an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss critical challenges and the way forward for gender parity in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The EU highlighted that prioritising women’s political participation and representation is crucial for Nigeria’s growth, especially to fast-track the nation’s progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2023.
The event brought together legislators, policymakers, political leaders, traditional and faith leaders, women’s groups, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders, was aimed to address the barriers that hinder women’s political advancement and strategise for sustainable change.
The dialogue, being an international event with a view to learn from experiences from other countries, also had in attendance representatives from South Africa, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, underscored the importance of women’s representation in governance as both a fundamental right and a driver of inclusive growth.
“The active participation of women at all levels of decision-making and politics is essential to the achievement of equality, sustainable development, peace, and democracy.
“Women’s equal participation in power and decision-making roles is part of their fundamental right to participate in political life, and sits at the core of gender equality and women’s empowerment”, the envoy said
Vergos recognised that, despite global progress, women remain underrepresented in government, often facing significant barriers to accessing and exercising political power.
According to him, the ongoing constitutional reform process in Nigeria presents a timely opportunity to implement an inclusive legal framework that promotes equal political participation, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or disability status.
“Women’s participation in politics helps advance gender equality and affects both the range of policy issues that are considered and the types of solutions proposed. Whether a legislator is male or female has a distinct impact on their policy priorities,” he stated.
Vergos emphasised that women’s political leadership is not only a matter of equity but also a foundation for sustainable development.
“Women’s political leadership may not be the only answer to sustainable development, but it underscores the invaluable contributions women offer when given equal opportunities to men. We must strive for a society where every woman not only feels safe to survive but is empowered to thrive,” he said.
He therefore urged stakeholders to adopt special measures to foster a more inclusive governance process, asserting that Nigeria now has a unique opportunity to join progressive nations in promoting gender equality through constitutional reforms.