NDI Srategises Wayforward For Women Politicians
…Collaborates With The Media
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, North-West, Nigeria
The National Democratic Institute (NDl) is an international organization charged with the responsibility of supporting the development of Nigerian institutions.
Under its projects is the implementation of Women in Politics (WIP) Project meant to bring women politicians to limelight for a better participation in politics and governance.
For women to fare well in what has been described as ever challenging political atmosphere dominated by the male counterpart in Nigeria, NDI thought it wise to bring together media practitioners across Kaduna in collaboration with women political group (WIP) to synergize and chart a way forward towards changing the narrative.
According to the Coordinator, Women in Politics Project (WIP), Hannatu Ahuwa,
“The objective of this meeting is to bring media practitioners and inter-party women together in order to create synergy in promoting women political participation.
WIP is one of the projects the National Democratic Institute (NDI) is implementing in Nigeria.
“NDI is an international organization that came into being with the aim of supporting the development of Nigerian institutions.
NDI is implementing the women in politics programme specifically in Nigeria.
“There are different institutions involved in democratic process in Nigeria so, what the programme seeks to achieve is to support the democratic process.
In particular, increase political participation by maginalised group including women.
Women are part of the magenalised group.”
NDI is funded by DFRI. It is doing this because, “it believes that equitable participation of women in politics and government is essential in building and sustaining democracy.” She said.
Hanatu cited examples of countries like Rwanda and Sweden where women occupy almost half of the positions in the parliament saying, more developments are recorded in places where women are given the space to participate in politics and governance.
However, she lamented over Nigerian’s situation which she said is growing worse.
Going through memory lane, she said.
“Starting from 1999-2004, there were more women occupying positions in the parliaments (National/State levels) but later on, the number started declining which is not good for the country. She stated.
“Part of the objectives of (WIP) is to see an increased awareness of women participation in politics in Kaduna state.
Women should be given more space in political arena.
Where we have women, let them be more feasible. Let people know more about them. Let people see what they are doing. This is one of the things we have been working on.”
“We are trying to strengthen as well as build the capacity of the representatives in order to help them perform their roles better.
We are working to see that women make a difference.”
They are also pushing for women to seek for more elective positions rather than that of women leaders. She added.
“We want a shift. Instead of position of women leaders always, they could seek for the position of PRO in their various parties or even chairman position.
“We want to see that women seek more opportunities. We want to see that parties support women to occupy more space.
We want the media, community leaders advocate for women participation in politics.” She stressed.
Barrister Rebecca Sako -John in her situational analysis of women’s participation in politics in Kaduna state also touched on the retrogressive nature of women in elective offices in Nigeria.
A look at the score card and the said 35 percent minimum threshold of women representation in elective position Barr. Rebecca finds very poor. This raised the questions as to,
“Why is it that these laws are paid lip services? Is it that women are not standing for their rights? Most offices are dominated by men.
Women constitute about 51 percent of the population and yet no good representation.
Why is it that we do not have their voices in decision making? Women form part of the global community but when it comes to feasibiluty, their voices are not heard.
Women in the Houses of Assemblies had not gone beyond 3, 5.
The positions of speakers, governors had always been for men.” She lamented.
The Barr. is of the view that the agenda is strerotype and should be stopped.
Referring to chapter 2 of the Nigerian constitution which she said speit it out that there should be no discrimination irrespective of sex, women she urged should rise up and demand for their rights.
“There is the need to interogate ourselves. The electoral process how have we been able to interogate it? We need to pursue the amendment of the electoral law to ensure that we have more women in good proportion in elective positions. She emphasized.
The interactive session that followed
brought some burning issues to fore.
In his words, Mr. Paul Onwude who anchored the discussion had called on the media to go beyond their traditional role of agenda setting and do more of developmental journalism.
The media he said has all it takes to make the women relevant.
Paul encouraged the women polititians to be forthcoming by availing themselves to the media as part of the issues raised borthered on many of them shying away. Rather than opening up on matters concerning them they shy away which makes it difficult for the media to assist.
It is important also that they remain relevant in their various communities by engaging in activities that can touch on the lives of the people. Such would not only help them in remaining relevant but would add as a plus during electioneering campaingn. The media advised.
The NDI examining how well the Inter-party Women of Nigeria (IPWN) have been engaging the media in the promotion of their political agenda pleaded with the media to help project more women issues particularly in the area of politics even though other things seem to be hampering their performance in the political space.
The Inter-party represenratives present
narrating their experiences seek for healthy collaboration with the press as that will help in the realization of their goals.
Speaking on behalf of the rest, one of the women said the problem really lies on the policies of the parties.
Women she said are not giving the space to occupy positions. The usual positions given to them is that of Women leaders. They do not occupy lmportant positions in the Excos and neither are women given the chance to be delegates through which they can have more representations.
The system is not helping them and that not until some practices are changed in the Nigerian political set up can more women attain elective positions. She lamented.
“We don’t want the position of women leader. We want more women delegates.
Afterall in Kaduna state, senstive officces are held by women. The Commissioner of Justice is a woman.
Commissioner, Human Services and Social Development, is a woman. Commissioner, Housing and Urban development, a woman. Commissioner Public Works and Infrastructure, is a woman. Health and Agriculture and Forestry are also headed by women and they are all doing well. They argued.
However, the media has expressed continious support and readiness to help.
An NDI Official, Election/Stop Violence Against Women, Emeka Diry, gave the hope
of a better future for female politicians in Nigeria as things are already in the offing that will actualize their dream.
Emeka, giving an insight on the bill on electoral Act to be passed soon, said matters concerning election, pre-election and post- election would be adequately addressed by the bill.
He urged the women not to relent in their struggles as there is hope for a better future in their political pursuit.
The foral commended governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state for having six female commissioners among the list of 14 appointed commissioners
Nigeria it argued has quite a number of women in appointive positions and are faring well.
The qestion is, if these sizable number of women are appointed, why can’t they be elected?
The meeting ended on a positive note with everyone ready to play its part for the betterment of enhancing a healthy democracy.
