The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) has called for urgent structural reforms and policy implementation to advance women’s empowerment and political leadership ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The AFJN made the call in collaboration with faith-based and civil society organisations at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

The coalition, which included Dominicans for Justice and Peace at the United Nations, AFJN Nigeria, and Catholic religious sisters, cited Nigeria’s four per cent women representation in governance as a major barrier to sustainable development.

Mother Leonie-Martha Okaraga, immediate past Superior General of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, urged leaders at all levels to invest in women’s leadership to unlock talent, innovation, and inclusive governance.

She lamented that, despite constituting about half of the population, women remained grossly underrepresented in politics and decision-making structures nationwide.

Ms Okaraga said female politicians faced structural, cultural, social, and economic barriers that often forced them to rely on political “godfathers” to succeed.

She also decried violence, harassment, and intimidation against women aspirants, noting that such challenges discouraged participation and threatened safety during elections.

According to her, inclusive leadership is essential to effective governance, as policies become more responsive when women are actively involved in decision-making.

“When women are an integral part of the decision-making in political processes, policies are more humane and more embracing of the common good,” she said.

She cited countries such as Rwanda, Cuba, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates as examples of improved governance where women’s participation was constitutionally supported.

Ms Okaraga expressed concern that Nigeria ranked 178th out of 182 countries in women’s political participation, calling for comprehensive legislative reforms and social transformation.

She urged the enactment of policies to ensure inclusive governance, address financial barriers for female candidates, and strengthen legal protections against electoral violence.

“We therefore call on Nigeria’s political leadership at all levels to move beyond rhetoric toward intentional and enforceable actions that guarantee meaningful participation,” she said.

On his part, Revrend Aniedi Okure, permanent delegate of the Dominicans to the United Nations at the Human Rights Council in Geneva, clarified that the coalition was non-partisan.

Mr Okure, a former executive director of AFJN, said the group was concerned with the welfare of all Nigerians, irrespective of political or religious affiliation.

He said that while the current environment was unfavourable, the coalition remained focused on empowering women to participate actively and advocating for binding laws on representation

Sister Eucharia Madueke, AFJN Washington Coordinator of Women Empowerment, supported calls for “special seats” for women, urging the National Assembly to consider relevant legislation.

She said affirmative measures were necessary for women to compete effectively and close the existing gender gap in political representation.

(NAN)