Lack of enabling environment, legislation limiting women’s participation in politics — Essiet

By Abimbola Abatta

Low participation of women in politics in Nigeria has been ascribed to the lack of enabling environment and legislation.

Special Adviser to the chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) on ICT/Civil Societies and Donor Agencies and gender advocate, Abiodun Essiet, made the disclosure in an interview with Nigerian NewsDirect in Abuja.

This is coming after the National Assembly rejected some gender bills aimed at reducing the under-representation of women in political office.

Some of the rejected bills include 25% distribution of women in appointed positions, citizenships for husbands that are not Nigerians, 35% inclusion of women in party leadership and an extra seat of one-tenth.

In response to whether Nigeria is getting it right as a nation amid the International Women’s Day celebration, she said, “No, we aren’t getting it right because we don’t have enabling environment, legal instrument to back up whatever we are doing now.

“That the national assembly voted against the 35% inclusion of women in political structure shows they don’t want women to develop politically,” she added.

She, however, maintained her position in advocating for education of women in appointive positions at the local level up to the federal level.