By JONATHAN LOIS
The European Union (EU) has pledged its support for a key dialogue focused on women’s inclusion and representation in governance.
To this end, the Union said it was part of its efforts to enhance women political participation in Nigeria.
The dialogue, held in Abuja and organised by the 10th House of Representatives in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), created an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss critical challenges and the way forward for gender parity in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The EU noted that prioritising women’s political participation and representation is crucial for Nigeria’s growth, especially to fast-track the nation’s progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Bringing together legislators, policymakers, political leaders, traditional and faith leaders, women’s groups, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders, the dialogue aimed to address the barriers that hinder women’s political advancement and strategies for sustainable change.
The dialogue, being an international event with a view to learn from experiences from other countries, also had in attendance representatives from South Africa, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Ambassador of EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos underscored the importance of women’s representation in governance as both a fundamental right and a driver of inclusive growth.
“The active participation of women at all levels of decision-making and politics is essential to the achievement of equality, sustainable development, peace, and democracy.
“Women’s equal participation in power and decision-making roles is part of their fundamental right to participate in political life, and sits at the core of gender equality and women’s empowerment”, Vergos said.
He acknowledged that, despite global progress, women remain underrepresented in government, often facing significant barriers to accessing and exercising political power. He noted that the ongoing constitutional reform process in Nigeria presents a timely opportunity to implement an inclusive legal framework that promotes equal political participation, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or disability status.
“Women’s participation in politics helps advance gender equality and affects both the range of policy issues that are considered and the types of solutions proposed. Whether a legislator is male or female has a distinct impact on their policy priorities,” he stated.uzu
