The underrepresentation of women in politics and policymaking has long been a crucial topic of discussion globally. In a recent webinar facilitated by GAIA Africa in partnership with the Lagos Business School and PwC Nigeria, titled Why We Need More Women in Policy Making. The webinar featured esteemed panelists, Senator Ireti Kingibe (Senator, FCT), Mrs Uwais (SA to the President), Alero Ayida-Otobo (Founder Incubator Africa), and Chijioke Uwaegbute (PwC), and hosted by the delectable Abosede Gorge-Odan (WILAN Global).
The conversation delved into the challenges faced by women in Nigerian politics and explored strategies to promote women’s leadership. This blog post aims to summarize the key insights shared during the webinar, highlighting the panellists’ perspectives on the urgent need for change. The discussion centred on the need to change mindsets and establish inclusive frameworks in politics. Senator Kingibe highlighted the stark reality of the underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics, emphasizing that the current situation is a cause for embarrassment even among male politicians.
“We have only three women in the Senate, and I must say, even the men are embarrassed about it.” – Senator Kingibe
Recognizing the significance of mindset transformation, Chijioke emphasized that leadership is about capability rather than gender. To achieve gender equality, He stressed the importance of educating young people. Corroborating this viewpoint, Mrs Otobo submitted that training and educating current politicians is a crucial step towards transforming Nigerian politics. Mrs Otobo argued that assumptions about politicians’ knowledge should be discarded.
“Leadership is all about capability and not gender. We need to teach young people from a young age that leadership knows no gender.” –Chijioke
“We need to train and educate current politicians, including special advisors, to help them perform better. We shouldn’t assume that they already possess the necessary knowledge.” – Alero
To effect change, Mrs Otobo, stressed the importance of strategic collaboration within civil society, leveraging data and evidence to drive impactful initiatives. On her part, Senator Kingibe emphasized the formation of a robust female lobby and voter group, utilizing voter data to mobilize women effectively.
“We must strive to create a strong female lobby and voter group, leveraging voter data to mobilize women in a specific direction.”- Senator Kingibe
Furthermore, Chijioke proposed the training and education of politicians to address the realities of the present and shape the future. She suggested that leading institutions such as the Lagos Business School, Gaia, and PwC could play a pivotal role, stating,
“Let’s train and educate politicians to understand the realities of now and shape the future. Lagos Business School, GAIA, and PwC can lead the way.”- Chijioke
Ms Uwais stressed the importance of empowering young girls from an early age and nurturing their leadership potential. She highlighted the need for comprehensive education and support. Alero emphasized that women’s participation in politics goes beyond mere representation, emphasizing their transformative impact on policies and governance. She stated,
“Women’s participation in politics is not just about numbers; it’s about the transformative impact they can have on policies and governance, leading to a more inclusive and prosperous nation.”-Alero
Highlighting the need for mentorship and support networks, Ms Uwais emphasized the importance of building confidence in women leaders. She advocated for the creation of support systems. Alero opined on the importance of investing in women’s education and skill development as a means of empowering them in politics. Stating,
“Women need more mentorship and support networks in politics to navigate the challenges they face and to build confidence in their abilities.” – Mrs Uwais
When asked about how the private sector and corporate leaders actively support and encourage women’s involvement in politics, Chijioke stated that;
“A united front of the private sector and civil society can be the third force, driving change and moving our society forward.” – Chijioke
While delivering her final thoughts, Alero highlighted the need to create an inclusive framework in politics. She emphasized that the focus should be on how to create the necessary superstructures, stating,
“We need to focus on changing mindsets and creating an inclusive framework in politics. It’s not about why we need more women; it’s about how we create the necessary superstructures.”-Alero
In conclusion, the webinar panellists underscored the urgency of empowering women in Nigerian politics. By changing mindsets, building inclusive frameworks, and investing in education and skill development, significant progress can be achieved. The insightful words of Mrs Kingibe summarize the collective sentiment, “We need strong institutional mechanisms, such as gender quotas and electoral reforms, to ensure women’s meaningful participation and representation in Nigerian politics.”
For a full transcription of the webinar, please click https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jBVuhapDVcoNfALeonTaCHaQArJgLJXmY8YD9Oax-Og/edit?usp=sharing
