HFDI Seeks More Women Participation In Politics

Hope For Family Development Initiative, HFDI, a non-governmental organisation, has called for more participation of women in political and leadership roles in Nigeria.

Speaking on Friday in Ibadan at a one-day advocacy programme with members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the Head of Programs, HFDI, Mrs. Adeola Falana, said women in the country were poorly spotlighted, or voted for during elections.

According to Falana, since the return of democracy in 1999, the number of women elected into political positions has not been encouraging.

Mrs. Falana said in Oyo State, only three (3) women are in the Governor Seyi Makinde-led Executive council, while Osun state has only two women in its Exco.

She called for more representation and advocacy for women by the media.

The HFDI chief noted that the numerical representation of women in political or selective positions must be better.

Falana therefore said the aim of the Advocacy meeting is to advance women’s participation in politics, through female elected candidates in the south West Nigeria.

She called on women to support their gender, and equip themselves for leadership positions.

Mrs. Adeola Falana also said more female representation and involvement in socio-economic matters would bring about a reduction in insecurity and increase the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country.

She said, “Over the years, the low participations of youth and women in electioneering processes have been of great concerns to the communities HFDI served and this under-representation of these groups is contributing to political apathy and gender inequality. Women make up roughly half of the population, and their perspectives, experiences, and needs deserve representation in political decision-making processes. Without adequate representation, policies may not fully address the concerns andinterests of women, leading to gender disparities and inequality.

She said the above needs led to the implementation of the project “Advancing Women’s Political Participation Through Female Elected Candidates in the South West Nigeria” in Osun, Oyo and Ekiti states of Nigeria.

She noted that HFDI will implement the project between March 2024 and December 2024 through advocacy visits and engagements with key stakeholders.

The project will be implemented across the Thirty-Three (33) LGAs of Oyo state, Thirty (30) LGA of Osun state and Sixteen (16) LGAs of Ekiti states; all in the south-western area of Nigeria. With the implementation of the project activities, we will achieve

Speaking at the meeting, the zonal secretary, NAWOJ, Mrs. Adeola Adewole said the media must play a role in advocating and increasing representation to close the gap.

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