Nigeria Lags in AU’s 30% Female Representation, remaining the only West African nation yet to meet the African Union’s target. According to recent findings presented by Mrs. Jesudunsin Olusanya, Nigeria’s representation of women in governance remains alarmingly low. The report highlighted that women constitute just 7.3 percent of the Senate and 4.2 percent of the House of Representatives, based on the 2023 Global Gender Gap Report. This stark underrepresentation has raised concerns about the lack of female participation in Nigerian politics and governance.
Addressing Gender Disparities in Nigerian Politics
The findings underline the pressing need to address gender inequality in Nigerian politics. A media capacity-building workshop, hosted by ARDA Development Communications, UN Women, and the Canadian government, brought these issues into sharp focus. The event urged journalists to challenge outdated perceptions and highlight the positive role women play in leadership. The aim is to inspire greater female involvement in politics and foster an inclusive, gender-equal political environment.
Empowering the Media to Promote Gender Equality
The workshop also introduced the Women Political Participation in Nigeria (AWPP) Handbook, offering strategies for unbiased and inclusive media coverage of female leaders. Olusanya stressed that media outlets should work to eliminate stereotypes and promote policies supporting women in leadership. By portraying women positively, the media can play a transformative role in bridging the gender gap in political representation.
Breaking Structural Barriers to Female Leadership
Structural barriers, including cultural traditions, media biases, and economic constraints, continue to limit women’s access to leadership roles in Nigeria. Olusanya emphasized that addressing these challenges is key to fostering an inclusive political landscape. Women must be seen as equal contributors to the nation’s growth, and policy reforms should align with global frameworks like the Maputo Protocol and CEDAW to support gender equality.
Promoting Equal Opportunities in Political Parties
Media and communications expert Adebisi Adetunji urged journalists to counter stereotypes that portray female leaders as overly authoritative. These biases often hinder public support for women in leadership positions. Political parties must also ensure equal opportunities for women in senior roles and move beyond assigning them to traditionally lesser positions. Greater inclusivity in political structures will promote long-term change.
The Role of Media in Shaping Women’s Leadership
The AWPP initiative calls on media professionals to eliminate gender bias and actively support women’s leadership in reporting. Journalists are encouraged to create diverse, ethical, and responsible content that champions gender equality. Through proactive and positive media representation, society can pave the way for more women to assume leadership roles, helping to close the gender gap in governance.
Conclusion
As Nigeria faces critical challenges in achieving gender equality, it is imperative that the media plays a key role in empowering women. By supporting female leaders and amplifying their contributions, journalists can help foster a future where women are represented equally in political spaces. To learn more about promoting women’s political participation, visit genderpedia.ng/shop for documents and resources related to this article.
References:
For further reading on women’s representation and leadership in politics, explore the following articles:
