Call for Gender-Inclusive Governance in Africa Gains Momentum in Nigeria
Nigerian stakeholders, including women's rights advocates, leadership experts, and civil society groups, are intensifying their call for greater gender-inclusive governance across Africa. This renewed push was a central theme of a recent town hall meeting in Abuja organized by the Women Community in Africa (WCA), a coalition dedicated to fostering an egalitarian society.
The Current State of Women's Representation
Discussions at the meeting underscored the persistent challenges to women's leadership in Africa. Key points raised included:
Affirmative Action Gaps: While Nigeria's national gender policy recommends 35% affirmative action for women in leadership, this constitutional goal has yet to be fully realized.
Structural and Societal Barriers: Women continue to face significant obstacles to political participation, including inadequate financial support, institutional party barriers, and deeply rooted societal and cultural norms that limit their opportunities.
Positive Momentum: The meeting acknowledged positive developments in some African nations. Rwanda, for example, has achieved gender parity in its parliament, while some Nigerian states, such as Kaduna and Kwara, have made notable progress with over 40% female representation in their cabinets.
Actionable Solutions and Recommendations
Participants at the Abuja meeting emphasized the need for concrete actions to address these challenges, proposing several key solutions:
Legislative Reforms: Stakeholders urged lawmakers to pass gender-friendly bills that would institutionalize women's inclusion. A key example is the "Additional Seats Bill," which proposes reserving a specific number of seats for women in legislative houses at both the federal and state levels.
Grassroots Mobilization: Chizoba Ogbeche, Vice President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), called on women to unite and begin preparing for elective roles from the grassroots up.
Political Will: Advocacy groups stressed that for these changes to take effect, political leaders must demonstrate stronger will to champion gender-sensitive legislation and embed gender equality at the core of national policies.
Shifting Societal Norms: The discussions highlighted the critical need to challenge gender biases and change societal attitudes to create a more supportive environment for women to rise to leadership positions.
Wider Continental Context
This Nigerian-led advocacy is part of a broader African movement. The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is currently reviewing a revised Draft Model Law on Gender Equality and Equity in Africa. This comprehensive framework aims to harmonize legal standards across the continent and advance gender justice.
The concerted effort by Nigerian leaders and civil society groups to champion gender-sensitive legislation and governance not only strengthens Nigeria's position as a regional advocate but also reflects a growing continental consensus. This consensus recognizes that inclusive leadership is not just a matter of social justice but a fundamental requirement for achieving sustainable and equitable development across all of Africa.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
