Group Protests Marginalization Of Women In Nigeria

The alleged continued marginalization against women by the men folks in the matters of gender equality in Nigeria, have again been protested by a women group under the aegis of ‘Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF)’ in collaboration with the ‘African Women Empowerment Guild (AWEG)’.

At a one-day Zonal Press Conference to discuss ‘Legal Reforms and Women Political Participation in Decision Making Spaces’ in Edo State, the group complained that, women have continually suffered marginalization by the men mostly into elective positions in the country.

This is in-spite of the Beijing Conference of 30 percent affirmative action for women, and the ‘National Gender Policy (NGP) recommending 35 percent affirmative action in Nigeria.

“The overall objective of the NFF’s collaboration with AWEG is to identify the challenges women in Edo State face in accessing equal participation opportunity in political spaces; as well as in decision making positions and to find out possible ways to mitigate these challenges.

“Also, to x-ray the electoral constitution guiding active political parties in Edo State, and advocating for change in the laws to accommodate women, whilst still adhering to constitutional norms and principles,” they said.

The Group lamented that, available statistics indicates that overall political representation of women in the Government of Nigeria is still less than seven percent.

The low representation, they claimed is a violation of the principle of democracy which is about fair representation of all interests.

This situation, they stressed poses a growing concern to the women folks, especially the younger generation.

Patriarchy which lord the men over women and undermining their potentials, stigmatization, low level of education, odd hours of meeting schedule, poor financial status, amongst others, were identified as underlying enormous challenges still working against women inclusion.

The Group consequently expressed fears that women may never achieve the Beijing 30 percent affirmative action, or the NGP 35 percent affirmative plan with the continued marginalization.

Contributing, participants in the event noted among others, that the marginalization of women by the men in the country, is a systemic problem having traditional norms as barrier.

They added that they do not have the financial strength to mobilize support for their political struggles and aspirations.

They however resolved that women must be courageous in tackling all the challenges and intrigues involved in politics in the country.

“Women must up their game in the push for elective positions in the face of prevailing challenges, as nothing is achieved on a platter of silver.

“We (women) must build structure and penetrate, hence there should be institutional reform beginning from the individual homes that would make the girl child know she could achieve anything if she pushes hard for it; believing in herself; when she is grown up”, they said.

A rights activist, Austin Osakue proffering solution suggested what he termed: ‘positive discrimination’ that would lower the bar to encourage qualified women into contestation with the men.

Chris Azabamwan of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stated that women like their men counterparts, must begin to groom successors for the future.

Also, Dr Nosa Aladeshelu, a woman rights activist and politician, recommended that remuneration in political office should be made unattractive to reduce corruption, and make only persons with genuine interest to aspire and serve

Similarly, Idowu Osehobo, urged women to organize as a United front to ensure that strange women who had never worked, are not imposed on them by the men, when the opportunity arises.

Chinoso Okechukwu, Focal person of the Group, said NFF is a biennial public policy forum that brings together feminists, who ultimately focus on creating and addressing the politics of unending violence against women and girls through feminists principles and universality of women’s rights.

We”The Nigerian Feminists Forum is aimed to position Nigerian Feminists at the cutting edge of a movement that demands courage, commitment, strength and analytical skill in order to make the needed critical analysis that will become a key element in a new politics for Nigeria.”

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