By Blessing Etim
Several long standing cultures have reduced women by creating the notion that, women hold little value as human beings beyond cooking for men and bearing children. However, the idea that women belong in the kitchen is severely outdated as women’s self-worth can now be derived from accomplishments that stretch beyond stereotypical gender roles.
History has revealed that women were in time past, totally denied key leadership positions in the political space, as they were wrongly perceived to be weak, emotional beings, incapable of making good judgment based on intelligence.
The possibility of achieving gender equality in the cooperate space keeps appearing thinner as 2021 statistics has proven that just ten countries have a female as Head of State, thirteen countries have a female Head of Government and only 21 percent of government ministers were women, with 14 countries having achieved 50 percent or more women in cabinets.
Common portfolio given to women ministers include; social affairs; environment, natural resources, energy, Employment, labour, vocational training, women affairs and gender equality among others.
In Nigeria however, the number of women in political and leadership spaces is relatively few as a woman has never been elected governor for any of Nigeria’s thirty-six states since the country declared its independence from British colonial rule in 1960.
Currently, only seven out of one hundred and nine senators, twenty-two of the three hundred and sixty House of Representatives members are females.
So far, five national elections have been held in Nigeria since 1999 when the country returned to democratic governance after years of military rule, but only a handful of women have ever held public office. As at 2003, just three percent of people elected to public office were women, by 2007 that figure increased to about seven percent, but in 2015, the numbers once again declined to 5.6 per cent.
The need for women participation in the political space is crucial as it is a sure way to bring attention to issues that uniquely affect them, and to change attitudes towards gender. Complete and equitable participation of women in public life is essential to building and sustaining strong, vibrant democracies as female active participation in key leadership roles will help shape unfavourable policies. However, when women are not participating in politics, it is less likely that policies will benefit them.
Despite all the challenges that must have pressured some women into being comfortable with second class positions other than vying for key leadership positions in the country, Nigeria has a number of exemplary female politicians and women rights leaders who have distinguished themselves on the national and international stage such as; Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, founder of the Abeokuta Women Union and mother of the late musical icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. She is regarded as one of Nigeria’s feminist pioneers, as well as a leading figure in the anti-colonial movement.
Other contemporary figures who have made their mark in national and international politics include Amina J. Mohammed, the current deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former Finance Minister who became the Managing Director of the World Bank from 2007 to 2011 and now serving as the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organisation as Director General; Oby Ezekwesili, also a former education minister and coordinator of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign and the late Professor Dora Akunyili, the former Minister of Information and Communication who made her name as the Director General of National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in her crusade against fake drugs.
The rationale behind poor representation of women in leadership positions can be traced to various factors such as, the high cost of participating in political activities, which prevents women from standing for positions. Often women do not have enough money to obtain their mandatory expression of interest and nomination forms required by political parties to run for positions on their platforms. In addition, election campaigns costs are exorbitant, unpaid labour burdens, unequal inheritance rights and outright discrimination also mean that women are less likely to be able to afford to follow through the process of getting leadership positions.
As much as there is lack of political will and effective government action, there are also societal factors that impede women representation. Such as; structures that portray women as subordinate to men, cultural or religious norms surrounding marriage and indigene-ship. ie a concept that recognizes only ethnic groups native to a particular state. Even ‘polished’ and educated women face hindrances which might include, gender stereotypes that assign leadership to men, sexual assault, pay gaps and unpaid labour, including child care and housework, placing them at a disadvantage.
Also, in most cases, the media gives poor exposure to female candidates as the coverage they command is not the same as the coverage men, women candidates are also often subjected to gender related electoral violence, threats and hate speech because of the perception that women want to get what traditionally belong to men.
Some may ask why it matters if women become political leaders, elected policymakers, or civil society activists. Why does the world need more women involved in all aspects of the political process? Well, why not? Women political participation results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen’s needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, and a more sustainable future.
Accordingly, the meaningful participation of women in national, local and community leadership roles has become an important focus on global development policy as full and equitable participation of women in public life is essential to building and sustaining strong, vibrant democracies.
In today’s world, women may not always realise their potentials, but once unleashed, they have a direct route to success.
When they find themselves in a leadership role, their capability and abilities are undeniable, hence, the necessity for more female leaders has never been more critical.
Also, studies have proven that higher numbers of women in government, generally contributes to stronger attention to women’s issues as women’s political participation is a fundamental prerequisite for gender equality and genuine democracy, thereby fostering political accountability to them, beginning with an increasing number of women in decision-making positions.
Women engagement is crucial and it is important to recognize that women are not a homogeneous group. Depending on whether women are young or older, educated or uneducated, live in rural or urban areas, they have very different life experiences that lead to different priorities and needs. Moreover, not every woman elected to parliament or another legislative body will place women’s issues or rights at the forefront of her own agenda. Clearly, women representation is not the only factor, but it is a critical factor for the development of inclusive, responsive, and transparent democracies.
So, why women in politics? The positive impact of women in politics is irrefutable. Kofi Annan noted, “study after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women. No other policy is as likely to raise economic productivity or to reduce child and maternal mortality. No other policy is as sure to improve nutrition and promote health, including the prevention of HIV/AIDS. No other policy is as powerful in increasing the chances of education for the next generation.”
In order to meet worldwide development goals and build strong, sustainable democracies, women must be encouraged, empowered and supported in becoming strong political and community leaders.
Representation of women in politics is significant as about half of the Nigeria’s population are women and their participation will create a balance of power between genders.
This is an indicator of development in any society as broad representation of women in governments has an enormous impact on what issues are raised and how policies are shaped. It also creates room to reform and revise discriminatory laws against girls and women. More so, Women equal participation and leadership in political and public life are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Also, group organised by women is a strong pillar for grassroot politics. This therefore mandates women to not settle for less, but develop drive to participate and take up key positions in politics as well as strive to be at the fore front in the economic and business space of Nigeria.
In the words of Michelle Obama “you may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problem at once but dont ever underestimate the importance you can have, that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own”.
Women in power can be counted on to raise issues that others overlook, to support ideas that others oppose, and to seek an end to abuses that others accept and women enthusiasm to take up leadership roles can encourage citizens’ confidence in democracy.
