Stakeholders in different sectors of Nigeria’s economy have decried the low representation of women in both local, state and federal governments.
They raised their concerns at a media engagement roundtable organized by the African Press Club (TAPC) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The programme had as its theme, “Advancing Women Participation in Governance and Decision Making in Nigeria”
In her remarks, the representative of TAPC, ChiChi Ahamba, decried the low level of women participation in different spheres of human endeavours
She said: “In March this year, the gender parity bill which stakeholders were looking up to lead and advance women’s rights and participation in politics and almost all aspects of governance was rejected
“This is because our lawmakers think participation in politics and decision making at all levels in Nigeria is a men affair as the national average of Women’s political participation has remained 6.7 per cent in elective and appointive position.
“This hinders the growth and advancement of gender equality by 2026 which is why the TAPC will support the advancement of women human rights and political participation by contributing to feminist leadership across Nigeria.”
She further charged the media and civil society organizations to implement a sustained media campaign that will draw the attention of policy and law makers to reconsider the gender bills ahead of the 2023 general elections
Also in his presentation, a media practitioner Chus Ukwuatu noted that that Nigeria ranked 181 of 193 countries on the Gender Equality Index, for countries with low women representation in governance, a situation he described as unfortunate.
