Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, expressed her concerns about the ongoing struggles of Nigerian women to secure their rightful place in politics and governance. She attributed these challenges to persistent policies that continue to put women at a disadvantage. Her remarks were made during the ‘International Legislative Dialogue on Women and Constitution Amendment in Nigeria,’ which took place in Abuja on Monday.
During the event, Mrs. Tinubu was represented by Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the First Lady of Kwara State and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum. She highlighted that while some progress has been achieved, it remains troubling that only a small number of women have been elected to the National Assembly.
The First Lady noted that despite the significant contributions women make to the electoral process, their participation is often limited. Many women are denied equal opportunities in governance and political spheres, which she described as a serious concern for the nation.
Mrs. Tinubu emphasized that the pace of progress regarding women’s political participation has been disappointingly slow. She called for a more sustainable approach to enhance women’s involvement through comprehensive policies aimed at supporting the girl child and nurturing educated, capable women leaders in Nigeria.
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She pointed out that Nigeria must address various issues, particularly the socio-cultural barriers that hinder national development by excluding women. These cultural inhibitions, she argued, must be challenged to foster a more inclusive political environment.
Additionally, the First Lady underscored the urgent need for gender-responsive policies and legislation. Such initiatives would not only encourage women’s participation but also create a more equitable political landscape in Nigeria.
In his opening remarks, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Amendment, acknowledged the realities that restrict women’s political engagement. He stressed the importance of understanding the scale and urgency of these issues as Nigeria moves forward.
Kalu’s comments reinforced the need for collective action to address the barriers faced by women in politics. He highlighted that recognizing these challenges is the first step toward implementing effective solutions.
The dialogue, organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Amendment with support from the Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC) and funded by the European Union, aimed to bring attention to these critical issues. It served as a platform for discussing strategies to enhance women’s representation in governance.
Overall, the event underscored the pressing need for a concerted effort to empower women in Nigeria’s political landscape, ensuring that they have equal opportunities to participate in governance and contribute to national development.
