Non state actors have resolved to embrace active grassroots engagements in promoting women political participation by using gender quota as a potent tool.
The forum also charged the political parties and Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC) to sponsor bills to address related issues on women political participation and present credible women for positions at party level, for the 2027 general election.
These were contained in the communique at one -day dialogue with non-state actors on gender quota and women’s political participation in Ado Ekiti.
The programme was organised by a non Governmental organisation, Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF) with the support of UN Women and the Government of Canada organized.
Women are also encouraged to participate in local politics by starting early , , add value to themselves through capacity building for strategic fit.
“Support for women should be promoted and not the narrative “women are their worst enemies”. Positive and gender-sensitive reportage on women political participation should be promoted
“Politics should be de-monitised for more women to participate and women should think about strategic and local resources mobilisation for elections.
Women must stand together to fight for their rights through crossparty collaboration, networking and solidarity.
“Men should be involved and tasked to lead the advocacy..The numerical strength of women in political parties should be leveraged to ensure advance women political participation and representation”
It also recommended the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) advocacy for policy reform and implementation, capacity building for women leaders, research and data collection, community sensitization, effective collaboration with the media and partnership with government.
The Civil Society Organisations were encouraged to mobilise resources to fill capacity gaps in women leadership, lead advocacy, facilitate community organising and coordinate for effective women political participation.
It calls on Political parties to evolve gender friendly party structures, civic education, local resourcing, active involvement of women in political parties at all levels.
It also proposes that gender quota must reflect in all party constitutions and practices of the political parties.
The forum pushes for the advocacy to begin from the grassroots and each barrier should be tackled to influence change.”Gender quota remains a potent tool to advance women’s political participation.
“Low capacity, access to funds, stereotypes, burden of care, restricting policies, violence against women in politics are some of the limiting factors and barriers to women political participation.The numerical strength of women should be leveraged for effective women political participation”.It stated.
The resolutions were adopted by: Mr. Anifowose (IPAC Organizing Secretary) & Mrs. Akomolede (NOA, State Director) and, on behalf of the participants