Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has said that there is a critical need to address and overcome the persistent gender disparities in the nation’s political systems.
This was even as she commended the House of Representatives for initiating and passing for second reading, the bill seeking 70 out of the 360 legislative seats for women in the Green Chamber.
Tinubu, who gave the charge in her speech at the spotlight initiative of the Economic Community of West African States Female Parliamentarians Association, ECOFEPA, held at the alternate chamber of the Senate in the National Assembly, challenged political office holders across the various political parties in the country to walk the talks on gender equity.
“To fully achieve this across the board, we must be seen to walk the talk,” she said.
In doing that, she said the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has taken significant steps to remove financial barriers by making nomination forms for elective positions free at the grassroots level, ensuring that capable and qualified women can participate in the political process without the burden of prohibitive costs.
The president’s wife posited that after years of advocacy without desired results, legally backed enforcement may be put in place to change the narratives.
She said: “While quotas and education are essential, enforcement of these measures is equally critical. Governments must put in place robust mechanisms to ensure compliance with gender quotas.
“This includes legal frameworks and monitoring systems that hold political parties accountable. Constitutional amendments may also be necessary to enshrine gender equity in political representation.
“Such amendments would provide a solid legal foundation for women’s adequate representation, ensuring that gender equity is not just a policy preference but a constitutional mandate.
“The journey towards achieving 30 per cent women’s representation in our parliament is achievable once we take the bold step to kick start the journey to an enduring democracy of quality representation.
“I commend the Federal House of Representatives for passing the bill seeking to reserve 74 seats for women in the National Assembly in a bid to encourage more female participation in politics and governance.
“I believe that the leadership in the Senate is gender-friendly and urge the 10th National Assembly to give women the necessary support. Nigerian women are smart and intelligent and can work alongside our male counterparts without friction for the good and development of our country.”
Government must ensure compliance with gender quotas – Oluremi Tinubu