Women in Sokoto are demanding a better deal in political space and other spheres of life.
The women, who cut across different political parties, harped on this at a summit organised by the International Republican Institute, to review women’s participation in politics.
Caliphate Trust reports that no woman in the state has won any elective office since the return to civilian administration in 199.
Among participants at the summit were female candidates in 2019 general elections, representatives of political parties, civil society organizations, government appointees, students’ leaders and officials from the state Ministry of Women Affairs.
They demanded more visibility through appointments, friendly legislations, women-friendly programmes, allocation of quotas to women in political parties, enforcement of laws that protect and promote the rights of women and more training for capacity building and empowerment of women.
In a remark at the occasion, the IRI Coordinator in Sokoto state, Aishat Muhammad Ahmed, recalled that of the 43 women who participated in the 2019 primary elections across different political parties, none was successful.
The Coordinator said: “Sokoto state has population of more than three million with women constituting 49.1 per cent of the total population but records in the just concluded 2019 general election indicate the continuous decline in the participation of women in the election system and governance.’’
The Coordinator identified inadequate influences within their own political parties, the challenges of candidacy, the electoral systems and the absence/non adherence to quotas to encourage women’s representation, as contributing to the relatively unchanged and diminishing situation of women in politics and governance.
She called for more participation of women in political space in Sokoto state.
Also speaking the Desk Officer on Gender and Civil Society, INEC Sokoto, Aishatu Abdullahi, advised women in the state to look beyond party affiliation and forge a common front towards improvement of their political, social, economic and overall status.
She harped on the need for women to support themselves and ensure capable females occupy available positions of authority.
The Gender specialist lauded IRI for the programme which she noted would help in shaping the next political era.
Mr Babatunde Alabi, a Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, IRI Abuja, said there is need for more inclusive governance and decision making political processes, describing women participation in politics as vital.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
