The United Nations Women has emphasized the need for increased female participation in politics and governance across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
The country representative in Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, made this call during a strategic meeting for women in the South-South region held in Calabar on Thursday.
Ms. Eyong encouraged women in the region to demonstrate their relevance within Nigeria’s political system and decision-making process. She stated that the meeting aimed to create a South-South movement that would accelerate gender equality and women empowerment.
“The time to begin is now. We must increase women representation in decision-making. Without gender equity, we can never have sustainable development. Let us start by supporting women in the local government elections. The test of what we can achieve in 2027 will be a reflection of our achievements in the council elections,” Ms. Eyong said.
Governor Bassey Otu commended UN Women for raising awareness and encouraging women to participate actively in politics and governance. He emphasized that gender equality is a fundamental right that should not be treated lightly, and the Cross River government would continue to develop policies promoting women’s rights.
The Akwa Ibom commissioner of women’s affairs, Ini Adiakpan, highlighted that many women still live below the poverty line. She stressed the importance of supporting women in farming and other small-scale businesses to ensure food security.
