Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called for the inclusion of more women in Nigeria’s political sphere to advance the country’s democracy.

The IPAC national chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, stated this in Abuja on Friday at the council’s second roundtable, with the theme: “64 years of Independence, Inclusive Democracy and the Options of Special Seats for Women.”

Mr Dantalle said that Nigeria would not consolidate or advance its democracy if women, who constitute half of the country’s population, were excluded from the political sphere.

“When a section of the society is under-represented in policy discussions, they feel marginalized. This is the case with women, who constitute 50 per cent of the nation’s population.

“Certainly, we cannot consolidate and advance our democracy if half of the population is excluded from the political sphere,” he said.

Mr Dantalle said that the roundtable was imperative as the National Assembly was currently reviewing the constitution and the Electoral Act with a view to amending them and ensuring full citizens’ participation in politics, democracy and governance.

He said that the conversation would explore viable options for special seats for women in politics and government, particularly in the national and state Houses of Assembly.

“Currently, the House of Representatives is working on a bill seeking to create 74 seats for women in the National Assembly to encourage more female participation in politics.

“The bill is anchored on the fundamental principle of equitable representation.

“It aims to empower women by ensuring their voices are not only heard but that they actively contribute to shaping the legislative landscape and the overall development of our nation.

“It is obvious that the issue of gender equality and representation lies at the heart of the nation’s democracy.

“The imbalance in this regard is glaring. In the 7th, 8th and 9th assemblies, women accounted for 6.4 per cent, 6.1 per cent, and 2.7 per cent of the Senate, respectively, and 6.4 per cent, 3.05 per cent and 4.7 per cent of the House of Representatives, respectively.

“This roundtable takes cognizance of this and hopes to make appropriate recommendations that will further enrich the nation’s democracy,” he said.

The IPAC national chairman said that the council had been at the vanguard of advancing women’s political participation and representation.

He said that the council had established a Directorate of Women Affairs, among other gender-friendly policies, in its national secretariat in Abuja.

Mr Dantalle stated that the council also participated in other high-level advocacy dialogues to advance women’s participation in politics.

Deputy national woman leader of APC, Zainab Ibrahim, one of the discussants, said that domesticating women’s inclusion had come to stay, as exemplified by IPAC through the creation of a women directorate.

Ms Ibrahim called on political parties to allow women to contest for key political offices.

“Who says women cannot be national chairman of political parties,” she queried.

Ms Ibrahim said that the party was in collaboration with lots of institutions, groups and individuals to ensure that the bill, which had passed the first reading, was eventually passed.

A development analyst, Jide Ojo, also one of the panellists, advocated for multiple platforms for women’s representation, including the use of independent candidacy during elections.

Mr Ojo advised political parties to embark on intentional advocacy for women recruitment by political parties.

He also emphasised the need for political parties to ensure that the 35 per cent women affirmation was implemented at the executive positions of political parties at all levels.

Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, principal lecturer, Department of Social Development, Kaduna Polytechnic, said statistics showed that women’s representation in the country at the moment was less than 10 per cent.

He said that women were ready politically but were not given the opportunity, hence the need to support the bill seeking to create special seats and more representation for women.

(NAN)