Nigeria’s politicians have been admonished to discard patriarch politics so as to encourage women participation at the polls, as 2023 general elections approach.
This was contained in different addresses of speakers at women advocacy programme in Osogbo, on Monday.
Dr. Abiola Akintoye, the Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) said the Nigerian political system is not gender friendly and there is a lot of patriarchal crisis within the political system.
In her words: “we have women who want to move the country forward, but the political landscape is not supporting it. There is violence, there is monetization, there is no policy supporting them and the political parties are being patriarchical.
“We saw the last primary elections, women cannot compete in such environment, and until when we create a conducive environment that women can compete on merit, we may not have a gender friendly political situation.
“Out of 36 states, one woman won gubernatorial primary elections in Adamawa, how is that level playing ground? Only one woman vie for presidency, how many women will be able to afford #100 Million?
“We have a database of aspirants and I can tell you for free, several women showed interest in politics.
“She is a serving Senator, so she has a profile and we are happy about that. But the coast is not fair to allow more women participation. One out of 36 is very small. We need more women and political parties can make that happen.” she said.
Dr. Akinyode however added that the WARDC is being optimistic about what will be the outcome of women participation in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
Also speaking, Iyaloja of Osogbo, Alhaja (Chief) Awawu Asindemade added that parents, guardians and teachers at different levels have a vital impact on the education of children, gender regardless.
Chief Asindemade also decried societal deterioration, said cultural and religious reorient in recent times are the causes.
“To my knowledge, no religion encourages nudity. Women are the most revered beings created by God. In our days pregnant women are not allowed to go out at certain times of the day because of some beliefs. All these have changed now.
“In our days, whoever is in charge of a child can beat him/her blue black. But you can not do that now. They would shout child abuse, child rights into your face. What about parents rights, especially as enshrined in the Nigeria constitution?”
WELCOME REMARKS BY DR. ABIOLA AKIYODE-AFOLABI, FOUNDING DIRECTOR. WOMEN ADVOCATE RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION CENTRE AT THE INCEPTION CAPACITY BUILDING MEETING WITH ASSOCIATION/COUNCIL OF IYALODE & IYALOJA OF OSUN STATE TOWARDS ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS MAY 30, 2022
Protocols,
On behalf of the board of Governors of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) and the FORD FOUNDATION, I want to formally welcome everyone to the inception capacity building meeting with association/council of Iyaloja in Osun towards ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
Violence against women is a violation of human rights and a major impediment to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women. Such violence harms women, their families and communities socially, politically and economically as such; it is rooted inequality, with no boundaries of geography or culture. It occurs both in public and private sphere due to the fact that many perpetrators believe that violence towards women and girls is normal or an appropriate behavior, supported by society. They feel that they can commit violence without disapproval.
Women Advocate Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) with support from Ford Foundation is implementing (Solidarity, Accountability and Commitments to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls) in the six (6) South West states in Nigeria Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti. The project aims to build community level accountability mechanisms and enhance collaboration and thereby addressing gender-based violence (GBV) and other forms of violence against women and the girls (VAWG).
The project therefore through innovative ways supports action that can contribute raising women and girls’ voices and addressing the limitations imposed on them by violence in their target communities by promoting the meaningful involvement of traditional leaders including conceptualizing and implementing projects in their communities to address violence against women
As custodians of culture, traditional leaders have the influence to alter underlying values and beliefs that are detrimental to community members. Such values and beliefs include inequitable gender roles that lead to culturally sanctioned gender-based violence such that their influence will be used to encourage protective practices and advocate for women’s rights and to address violence against women and girls by minimizing risky practices that exacerbate vulnerability in any form.
Nevertheless, one of the characteristic of gender-based violence is that it knows no social or economic boundaries and affects women and girls of all socio-economic backgrounds hence, the project also seeks to engage and support traditional leaders to empower women and inform their communities about the laws and penalties relating to violence against women, link traditional leaders with the justice system, the police, social services, and health systems in order for them to deal effectively with perpetrators and compassionately with survivors of violence against women
WARDC believes this engagement will further protect women against violence by enforcing traditional sanctions and laws in traditional court structures; and encourage open discussion of cultural beliefs and practices in the target communities partnering with traditional leaders to uphold people’s right including women and girls.
We appreciate your commitment and looking forward to an effective partnership with the Association/Council of Iyaloja in Osun State towards ending VAWG
Thank you.
