The International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, Kaduna State branch has undertaken capacity building workshop for accredited observers to monitor document and report violence against women on election days.
The National President, FIDA, Mrs Amina Agbaje said the training was essential to prevent and respond to election violence perpetrated against women before, during, and after the 2023 elections.
According to her, women around the globe share a common feature of marginalisation and their participation in politics has continued to be minimal because most often, they are afraid of coming out to exercise their civic responsibility.
Mrs Agbaje explained that the capacity workshop was being implemented across four focal states in Nigeria which include, Kwara, Borno, Plateau and Kaduna States.
“Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria but their level of political participation is increasingly very poor. Current statistics of women in the parliament in Nigeria confirm that their representation was 9% in 2007, 7% in 2011, 5% in 2015 and less than 10% in 9th National Assembly,” she noted.
Advancing Women Participation
She stressed the need for advancing women participation in the 2023 general election through effective mobilisation and a user friendly environment.
She says, “Eradication of political violence is key in advancing women participation as it is of paramount importance to condense political violence before and after elections so that women can fully participate in elections.”
The National President further stated that they were accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission to observe and report incidences for which outcome would lead to mass participation of women at the polls.
In a remark, the lead presenter, who is the Program officer, FIDA Nigeria, Mr Abu Ayuba explained that those trained were expected to give on the ground information to thier situation room on election days over issues relating to violence against women.
Over twenty lawyers from across the state participated in the capacity building workshop exercise.
Confidence Okwuchi
