The United Nations has expressed alarm about Nigerian women’s low participation in elective and leadership roles, on grounds that it has remained the lowest in the world. This was discussed during the opening of the Young Women in Politics Forum UN.
Women’s Program Analyst, Angela Muruli mentioned this observation. With sponsorship from UN Women and Sweden Sverige, the Women in Politics Forum, a political movement, hosted the event.
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Maruli believes it is critical for Nigerian women to participate in politics because when women are in positions of leadership, they make decisions that benefit the entire society. She believes that Nigeria has the lowest female representation in Sub-Saharan Africa, if not the world. So it’s alarming for the giant of Africa, that half of the population is prominently represented in centers of power by people who look like them she remarked.
“There is no perfect number for an excellent practice,” she continued, “but we live in a world where 50 percent or even somewhat more women are.” So what we’d like to see on a worldwide scale are cultures in which women have equal participation, i.e. a 50-50 split.”
WIPF President Ebere Ifendu stated that the initiative would be continued until the general election in 2023. “I’ve always stated 50-50, and I’ve never been an advocate of affirmative action,” she stated. It’s critical for women to understand that this is something we can all do; we have just as much capacity as men.”