EU, INEC, others sensitize market women on electoral involvement

The European Union (EU), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other key stakeholders on Thursday held a sensitization programme, as part of efforts to ensure that Nigerian women participate more in the 2023 general elections.

The event, funded by the European Union Support to Democratic Governance Programme in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) and organised by the Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF) under the #Balance4Her campaign was held at the Garki International Market, Abuja, with the theme, ‘Women’s Political Participation and Inclusion in the 2023 General Elections’.

The #Balance4Her campaign is targeted at increased sensitization on the active participation of women in all governance processes.

Speaking, a deputy director of Gender Relations at INEC headquarters, Mrs Victoria Eta-messi, urged women to take advantage of their Population to elect their female counterparts into various electoral offices.

“Women form more than half of registered voters in the nation’s population which should serve as opportunity for them to go all out during the polls,” she said

Chief Executive officer of NWTF, Mrs Mufuliat Fijabi said the aim of the outreach was to provide more awareness to women on the need to support themselves.

Fijabi said if women were voted into political offices it would enhance good governance in all aspects of the country’s economy.

“Nigeria desperately needs more women in government. The country and its political institutions cannot grow when half of the population is being left behind.

“The fresh approach to leadership that women would bring could be the best hope of improving citizens’ quality of life and combating the deep-rooted corruption that so many link to the country’s leadership today without reference to the roles they also play in it as citizens. The National elections in 2023 should provide us a golden opportunity to elect leaders of our choice,” she said.

Laolu Olawumi, representative of the EU-SDGN, said, “Since women population can stand as a deciding factor in next year’s elections, they should all go out and vote for females with integrity that are capable of providing the needed social Amenities especially in the rural areas.”