Activist calls for special fund to promote women’s political participation

“This is because if one is interested in a candidate, such a person can finance the candidate. Political parties can also finance women for political positions,” she said.

On the bill seeking to create special seats for women at the National Assembly, the women rights activist said it meant that many Nigerians were ready to have alternative leadership.

“Let us try the women. The men know that without women, nothing can happen and there will be no positive change”.

“Now that they are trying to create space for us, it is the right time to also create a system that will allow us to be effective”.

“What I mean by effective is that it is a different thing to create a space and it is another thing to allow us to excel,” Goroso said.

The IWCC director advocated for affirmative policy at all levels of government that would allow certain number of women in political positions.

She also demanded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be empowered to disqualify any political party that violates the arrangement.

“The third way to ensure participation of women in politics is to mobilise women who are interested to come out, and be courageous enough to vie for any vacant position that they think they can occupy”.

“We need a change from what we are used to, and women are ready to make the necessary change for Nigeria to excel.”

She called for synergy among women rights groups, women in politics and women journalists, to promote women’s rights, as well as amplify and resolve those challenges inhibiting their participation in politics. (NAN)