WRITTTEN BY LADY NDIDI MEZUE
Poor participation of women in politics and governance has been a major concern at the global level. In Nigeria, participation of women in politics is not proportionate to fifty per cent of the nation’s
population which they represent and has not translated into equal representation in political leadership positions.
The global issue of MDGs that has translated to SDGs and other international clarion calls on women political participation has made Nigeria to increasingly recognize women in the political sphere and include them in both informal, appointive and elective positions. Yet, the political participation of women is growing at a slow rate, despite efforts to change such trend.
This situation falls below the recommended thirty per cent of the Beijing platform of nation and thirty per cent recommendation of National policy on women in Nigeria. The challenges to women active participation in politics are manifold. They include discriminatory Socio – cultural and religious practices, lack of finance and under-representation of women in governance.
Other challenges are: unhealthy political environment; political party discrimination; wrong perception of women in politics, lack of family, fellow women and media supports; indigenization of women political aspirants etcetera.
Anambra state, compared to other states in the federation, could be said to be an exception in that the state has met and surpassed the thirty per cent and thirty-five per cent affirmative action on women participation in politics and governance respectively. If other states in the Federation could emulate the strides of Anambra State on women participation in politics and governance, the nation would be a better place, politically, for women.
However, to achieve sustainability of women participation, Nigeria should enshrine the involvement of women in politics in their constitution and should include all areas of governance at all levels such as the Federal, State and Local Governments. Also, education of women should be of paramount importance to any government in power because when you educate a woman you educate a society.
Again, Discrimination against women should be a punishable offence, to avoid name callings by some male politicians, while high level of encouragement by the government to any woman politician should be encouraged. At least, not less than forty-five per cent appointive posts or vacancies should be occupied by women. Above all, access to credit facilities should be encouraged for women.
Anambra State women are hereby enjoined to re-awake and be more involved politically as this administration is poised to encourage women in political participation.
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