IPAC tasks stakeholders on eliminating gender-related barriers

Dantalle made the call on Wednesday in Abuja at a conference for women political leaders, with the theme “Breaking Barriers and Shaping Positive Attitudes for Inclusive Politics in Nigeria.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day conference was organised by National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in collaboration with the IPAC Directorate of Women Affairs.

Dantalle said that the awkward barriers, including culture, stereotypes, poverty, lack of education and violence against women, impeding women participation in politics had no place in modern society and must be broken immediately.

He said that in any democratic society, the active participation of women in politics was critical to achieving inclusivity, equality, equity and sustainable development.

“It is obvious that democracy is dependent on active participation and representation of all citizens in democratic institutions and processes.

“When a section of the society is under-represented in policy discussions, they feel marginalised. This is the case with women who constitute about 50 per cent of the nation’s population.

“We cannot advance our democracy if half of the population is excluded from the political sphere. This injustice shall not stand,’’ he said.

Dantalle said that women’s rights, including right to live free from violence and discrimination, right to be educated, to own property and to political participation must be respected.

He said that it was unfair and unjust to deny women these basic rights because of their gender, particularly right to political participation and representation in decision-making processes.

“I charge Nigerian women to rise up and take their rightful place in politics and governance.

“It is time for them to break the glass ceilings, join political parties of their choice, contest various elective positions and prove their ability to lead, bearing in mind that power is not given; it is taken.

“If women do not participate in the electoral process, there is no way they can be elected president or vice-president, governors or deputy governors, senators, House of Representatives members, state legislators and councillors,’’ he said.

Dantalle reiterated IPAC’s call for the passage of the bill on the reservation of special seats for women in parliament pending at the National Assembly.

He said that IPAC would intensify action to ensure that the bill scaled through the House of Representatives and Senate, and assented to by the president.

Dantalle also called on the national assembly to also pass the Electoral Offences Commission Bill.

This, according to him, will ensure the prosecution of electoral offenders and their sponsors, to serve as a deterrence to those inclined to undermine the integrity of the nation’s elections.

“To further safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, IPAC advocates for a single-day general elections.

“A single-day election will reduce costs, minimise disruption of economic and academic activities, maintain voter enthusiasm throughout the process and address logistical challenges.

“This is in line with global practices, as obtainable in Ghana, Sierra Leone, the United States and Venezuela,’’ he said.

The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Ayo Omotayo, said that in spite of the commendable strides in various sectors, Nigeria continued to grapple with a significantly low level of women’s representation in elective and appointed positions.

Omotayo, represented by the Director of Administration, NIPSS, Suleiman Kabir, said that the deficit was not just a matter of gender equality, but a fundamental challenge to the inclusiveness and effectiveness of Nigeria’s democracy.

“This conference, therefore, comes at a crucial juncture. It serves as a crucial platform for political leaders, women leaders, policymakers and intellectuals to tackle key issues.

“These issues include identifying barriers to women’s participation, shaping positive societal attitudes toward women’s leadership and developing inclusive strategies for political engagement,’’ he said.

In his remarks, the President, Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), Amb. Emmanuel Okafor, stressed the need for policy reforms, establishment of a robust legal framework and cultural and social reorientation that would promote gender equality and ensure a level-playing field for all.

Okafor said that achieving these objectives would require deep and sustained collaboration among government agencies, civil society and the private sector.

“As we strive to dismantle barriers and challenge stereotypes, we must also nurture a culture of inclusion, dignity and mutual respect.

“We owe it to ourselves, our daughters and future generations to build a Nigeria where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive,’’ he said.

NAN reports that highlights of the occasion included the unveiling of Action Plan Women Directorate of IPAC. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq