EU Urges Political Parties to Increase Women’s Participation in Politics

The European Union (EU) has called upon political parties in Nigeria to adopt robust measures and strategies to increase women’s participation and representation in politics.

Speaking during the Women in Parliament Summit in Abuja, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, emphasized the importance of women’s active participation at all levels of decision-making and politics for the achievement of equality, sustainable development, peace, and democracy.

Ambassador Isopi urged political parties to review and reform all founding and policy documents, including constitutions, manifestos, party rules, and strategy documents, to incorporate national and international norms and obligations on gender equality.

The ongoing constitution reform process in Nigeria presents an opportunity to adopt an inclusive legal framework that promotes equal participation of all Nigerians regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, and disability status.

According to Ambassador Isopi, political parties are the ‘real gatekeepers’ on women’s political empowerment.

If the political parties institutionalise gender equality measures and transform from within, it will have a direct impact on women’s equal participation and representation in Nigeria.

The EU has been providing support to women’s political participation in Nigeria since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.

Efforts focus on women in politics, women as candidates, and women as voters, as well as in electoral observation.

The EU’s call for increased women’s political participation in Nigeria is a step towards achieving gender equality and a more inclusive political environment.