Increased financial empowerment of women has been identified as one of the tool to increase their participation in politics and governance processes.
The representative, Enugu South Rural Constituency in the Enugu State House of Assembly, Princess Ugwu made the call during a meeting with Gender Strategy Advancement International, GSAI, on efforts to realise the United Nations 1995 Affirmative Action on women gender policy.
She stressed the need to strengthen the implementation of the affirmative action which advocated for 35 per cent inclusion of women in public service and governance to ensure gender equality.
According to her “the affirmative action may not be feasible if women do not have the financial muscle to compete favourable with their men counterparts in the political space. Poor representation of women in governance is usually caused by lack of financial resources, cultural, social, economic barriers, and mindsets. Contesting for political positions in the Nigeria’s political space requires huge financial resources which most women do not have.”
The lawmaker pledged to ensure a gender responsive budget in the state’s 2024 budget to implement more women empowerment programmes.
“In spite of the financial waivers given to women aspirants by some political parties, most Nigerian women who seek these positions cannot afford the financial obligations. With this financial deficit, the women could do little or nothing to outweigh their male counterparts.
“It is very important, therefore, to empower women to be financially buoyant to enable them to sponsor their election campaigns and other political obligations. Women could be financially empowered through skill acquisition, trade, career development among others. I also want to use my office to sponsor women during the 2027 general elections and ensure that they win,” she pledged.
More Advocacy
Ugwu further called for more advocacy to strengthen women participation in politics and impact the governance process.
“There is need to create awareness against gender stereotypes, gender roles biases and educate the public on the importance of women’s participation in politics for inclusive governance. These awareness campaigns and advocacies should also address the negative attitude towards persons with disabilities,” she said.
On her part, the Communications Officer, Gender Strategy Advancement International, GSAI, Ms Grace Udie, stressed that “there is need we promote electronic voting to safeguard women in the rural communities, Imbibing the culture of positive mindset to break limitations and bring in the idea of other women breaking the barriers to become role models to those who feel limited.
Ms. Udie stated that GSAI was carrying out a Collaborative media Engagement for Development, Inclusion and Accountability Project, supported by Wole Soyinka Center For Investigative Journalism and MacArthur Foundation among other projects to ensure women’s participation in governance.
The virtual meeting was aimed at evaluateing the representation of women in the political space, gain feedback on accountability at the state and National level, review the Baseline report on Women’s participation in governance and recommend Solutions to challenges encountered.
Confidence Okwuchi
