Institute, UN Women partner on women participation in politics

By Eric James Ochigbo

The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) says it will  partner with  the office of  UN Women in Nigeria  to increase women  representation in parliament.

Institute Director- general, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, stated this while hosting the UN Country Rep of Women in Nigeria, Ms Beatrice Enyo, on Tuesday,  in his office in Abuja.

He said that the 9th Assembly had only nine female senators but  the number dropped to three   senators in coming 10^th  Assembly following the outcome of the just concluded elections.

“It is the same story in the House of Representatives and  State Houses of Assembly,’’ he said.

Suleiman further said the institute was conducting a study to ascertain factors the  responsible for women  the low representation with a view to find lasting solutions.

“I called on  all the female staff here to find out why are we just having three women in the senate and 15 in the house of reps after all the workshops and training.

“We want to identify why we got to where we are in spite of the efforts made by institutions, government agencies, multi-lateral organisations; instead of is making progress, we are going backwards.

He said that Nigeria does not accord seriousness gender equality otherwise more women would have been found in all levels of governance.

The D-G however, said already the institute had set up a committee to liase with  UN women and other multi-lateral organisations  for partnerships on the project.

Suleiman said the institute would hold a conference to address the  economic challenges and traditional bias as well as challenges of women supporting women in politics.

He said that imminent scholars, and other stakeholders would be invited to the conference  to address other  issues on women participation in Politics.

Earlier, Enyo said that UN women in Nigeria was ready  partner with the institute, adding that the  organisation has three mandates which  include, ensuring a legal framework for affirmative action, gender equality and operational mandate that allows field implementation.

“ We want to work with you so that we can work towards a gender responsive parliament, a parliament where men and women are free to put their full potentials .

(NAN)