Women seek empowerment, political support to achieve 35% affirmative action

The Nigerian League of Women Voters (NILOWV) has called on government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other stakeholders to support women through financial empowerment and political education to enhance their participation in governance.

The group also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to collaborate with the league in advancing women’s inclusion in politics and achieving the 35% affirmative action target.

Biliqis Modupe Oladimeji, Kwara State Chairperson of NILOWV, made the call while presenting the 2024–2025 activity report of the group at its Annual General Meeting (AGM), held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

Oladimeji identified inadequate funding for women’s political ambitions, high costs of nomination forms, insecurity, and poor implementation of gender-related policies as key challenges facing the league in Kwara State.

She urged INEC to revive the proposed Women’s Summit initiated under the leadership of former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Garba Attahiru Madami, before the COVID-19 lockdown. According to her, the summit remains a vital platform for promoting women’s engagement in politics.

“We call on government, NGOs, and development partners to increase their support for women-focused organisations, particularly in leadership training, empowerment, and political education,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Oladimeji noted that NILOWV had implemented several sensitisation and empowerment programmes to advance women’s participation in governance and leadership across the State.

She listed the group’s key initiatives to include: Community outreach and mentorship programmes, stakeholders’ engagement and collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, advocacy for reserved seats for women, partnerships with development agencies, humanitarian and empowerment projects, media and civic engagements.

To achieve sustainable development, Oladimeji reaffirmed the league’s commitment to mobilising women at all levels to speak with one voice for inclusion and participation.

“NILOWV Kwara State remains steadfast in its mission to strengthen women’s voices, advance democracy, and promote inclusive governance in Kwara State and beyond,” she declared.

Hale Gabriel Longpet, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kwara State, commended women’s growing interest in politics, revealing that 52% of total applicants in the State were women.

He noted that countries with greater women’s representation in leadership tend to experience peace and progress, citing the United States and other nations as examples.

“Training and mentorship for female political aspirants should be intensified. Such training can focus on leadership, decision-making, and political campaigning, supported by civil society organisations and international partners like UN Women,” he said.

Longpet stressed that achieving gender parity in Nigerian politics requires deliberate efforts by policymakers, government institutions, and advocacy groups to address the barriers limiting women’s participation.

“I urge all women to boldly join political parties of their choice and become active from the grassroots to the state level. Support fellow women, challenge stereotypes, and work together to achieve the 35% affirmative action,” he advised.

Earlier, Christianah Abayomi Oluwole, the Chairperson of the occasion, who declared the meeting open, highlighted the managerial and multitasking abilities of women, describing them as indispensable to national development.

“When women are not represented at the table where decisions are made, their perspectives are missing from the policies that shape our lives. We must continue to build our capacity, support one another, and demand our rightful place in governance,” she stated.