Despite representing half of the global population, women comprise less than 20% of the world’s legislators (1). According to World Bank Report 2016, 49.34% of Nigeria population are females. Yet women are largely absent in National and Local political leadership, they struggle for their voices to be heard in a male dominated society. This is said that politics is a game of numbers, however, women’s representation in political leadership has not commensurate with the population of women.
In Nigeria, there has been continual misrepresentation of women at both National and State level. Women’s representation at the national level in 2007 was 7.5%. This regressed to 7.1% in 2011 election and further decreased to 7 in Senate (6.4%) and 19 in the House of Representatives (5.2%) (2). Also, it is noteworthy that during the President Goodluck Administration, women occupied 33% of the cabinet position and this decrease to 19% in President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration.
Now the questions; Are we making progress as a Nation in ensuring an inclusive, egalitarian and democratic government? Do women stand a chance to an increase representation at the national and state levels?
I will leave you to ponder on the above questions till the next time, I will continue on this interesting topic.
Written by Grace Jimbo
End Notes.
1.Women in Power Project, strengthening women’s rights and political participation. www. usaid.gov
2.Opinion: Women Participation in Politics and Decision Making Position in Nigeria. www.thewillnigeria.com
My Firstlady, the nation is waiting for you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you Anietie for your encouragement! We will keep pushing till we get it right.
Yes ooooh
Yes oooooh!
Yes
I always say that some women are born leaders ..
I will support the motive
Thank you for your suppport..together we will shall make the difference.
Let support women
Waiting you ma ..
Sure!
4 real
Do women stand a chance to an increase representation at the national and state levels? Yes, women stand a chance if they learn to speak up and support themselves. Also, I support Chimamanda Adichie’s ideology that we should all be feminists: https://youtu.be/hg3umXU_qWc . Everyone needs to speak up for women’s rights and re-positioning.
Thank you Joy.
That’s true
Ako you have said it all
I support. I have always given women the necessary support at my capacity and anytime I have the opportunity I seek support for women’participation. Thanks for this write-up.
Kudos Francis! We need more of your kind.
Keep the good job
Great thoughts there. I wait for the continuation.
Sure…Thank you.
Good
The right information, the right empowerment with the information shared yield effective result. This model should be used for the women.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes sir
Yeah, this model should be used for both male and female. Until we have a balanced information, we can’t have gender equality.
Women needs to ne encouraged and supported so as to achieve the targeted vision.
Yes my brother
Many women are born to be leaders, lets not deny them what they are capable
Leadership needed to be developed, hence women are encouraged.
I will support women in leadership
Good
To achieve this, women must be able to stand up for themselves.
Exactly
Thank you Grace for this message.
Weldone my sister. This is just nice.