The Canadian Government has pledged about eight million Canadian Dollars, equivalent to twenty three billion naira to support and promote active participation of women in politics especially in the Nigeria’s 2023 general election.
This was made known at a dialogue with Nigerian Traditional Leaders in Abuja.
The dialogue was organised by the United Nations Humanitarian office and the Canadian government to Intensify Efforts toward ending violence against women in politics.
The Head of Cooperation, Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, Djifa Ahado stressed the need to create an enabling environment for women to increase their participation and inclusion in politics.
Ms Ahado said, “Nigeria as you know is a leader in Africa. There is much more than can be achieved by including women as part of the team.
“This is by recognising their capacity and providing them with the opportunity to shape the country’s present and future, the progress is being made but there are still setbacks. To this project, advance women’s political participation, Canada is contributing eight million Canadian Dollars equivalent to twenty six billion naira, over four years to increase participation in election and appointment of women in Nigeria both in the 2023 general election process and beyond.
Ms. Ahado, further urged Traditional leaders in Nigeria who are custodians of culture to speak against politically motivated gender-based violence and promote peace in their communities during the 2023 general election.
“As Traditional Rulers each of you play an important role in creating an enabling environment for women to seek and successfully participate at all levels of political process, therefore we solicit your support to advocate women participation in the forthcoming elections and beyond.
Violence Free Election
“We call on you to use your support to prevent violence free election in particular to denounce violence targeted at women. Canada is proud to support efforts to raise the voices of women in political and legislative spaces in Nigeria. We firmly believed that increase political participation of women ultimately leads to increase prosperity, peace and security for all Nigerians,” she explained.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mathias Schmale noted that with the involvement of more women in public offices development thrives better.
To address violence against women in politics, there is a significant need for multi-stakeholder engagement. If women are more in public offices than they currently are, it will be better for development and peace and stability in the society. Traditional leaders are the custodians of cultural values, I believe they can play a key role in changing perceptions and values that needs to be changed, not all values are bad but some traditional values needs to be overcome and if they are the custodian, they have the a key role to play and its rather encouraging to hear how they see their own role in overcoming obstacles in proper participation of women in public life. l urge us all to take action to ensure that women participate at all levels of the electoral process, as voters, as candidates, as election administrators and as activists. The United Nations is committed to support efforts towards advancing women’s participation in politics in Nigeria
UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said development can only be achieved when women are on the decision making table.
“We need women to support women, also men to support women too because development will never be sustainable if women are not sitting at the table, all of us have to sit so that we know the needs, interest, aspirations of all different classes of our population and that brings development,” she said.
The Chairman of a traditional group called Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar said women play important role in all areas therefore their roles should not be neglected but encouraged.
“It is our responsibility as community Leaders, Traditional Leaders and Religious Leaders to ensure that we give women equal rights in terms of participating in politics by strongly and seriously advising our political players, politicians and the men forum to ensure that they allow women continue participation. We also want to advice that in conducting any exercise, they provide that protection and awareness and concern for women when these incidents are taking place,” he said.
According to UN report, globally, the average representation of women in national parliaments is at 26 per cent, which it is only 4 per cent in Nigeria
The United Nations maintained that an election does not comply with international obligations and standards unless it includes the opportunity for full and equal participation by women and men as voters, candidates, election officials, observers, and election observers.
Confidence Okwuchi
