Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo has called for review of the National Gender Policy and supporting bills, to further encourage involvement of women in politics.
Mrs. Soludo made the statement in Awka while assessing the performance of female candidates that vied for different representative positions in the just-concluded elections.
The governor’s wife’s remarks are coming after a recent review which revealed that ninety-six per cent of women who contested in the 2023 general election lost to their male counterparts.
The review which was conducted by a leading national daily which disclosed that a total of one thousand, five hundred and fifty-three women were on the ballot for the presidential, governorship, national and state assemblies’ elections held on February 25 and March 18, 2023.
However, out of a total of fifteen thousand, three hundred and seven candidates who contested under the eighteen registered political parties during the 2023 general elections, males constituted thirteen thousand, seven hundred and fifty-four which represented eighty-nine point eight per cent while the one thousand, five hundred fifty-three female candidates represented ten point one per cent.
It further revealed that analysis of the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that only seventy-two women got elected at federal and state levels, while one thousand, four hundred and eighty-seven lost.
Describing the results as unsatisfactory, considering the great role women have played in the socio-political development of Nigeria, Mrs. Soludo said it has become pertinent to make the country’s overall political framework friendly to women.
The Anambra Governor’s wife explained that it is time to review the National Gender Policy and similar initiatives, with the aim of giving them strong legal backing to give women better support and encourage them to take part in politics.
The Anambra First Lady also called on INEC to come up with incentives that would encourage women to take part in political contests, including cutting down on the cost of purchasing forms for women.
While congratulating the women who won in the elections, Mrs. Soludo asked them to serve with the kind of dedication , compassion and vision that women are known for, and remember to use their positions to impact on the lives of other women.
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