By Ene Osang
Abuja
The Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) has blamed slow progress of woman in the nation’s politics on the lack of internal party democracy within political parties.
President of the forum Barrister Ebere Ifendu, noted this while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, at the press conference on how to women politicians can move from rhetoric to action, as the 2019 general election draws near.
Barr. Ifendu who harped on the need for more inclusion of women in politics and governance, said only when there are more female parliamentarians can women issues be on the front burner.
‘’Political parties in the country is a major challenge for women because there is no internal party democracy and so no level playing ground for politicians,’’ she said.
‘’Women politicians irrespective of party affiliation have come together to fight one course but we want more women in parliament for legal backing of women issues,’’ she added.
Ifendu called on political parties to put an end to sale of party forms at exorbitant prices, maintaining that this giving of free party forms to women is a strategy of denying women the chance of running for election.
‘’The ridiculous amount for party forms should be addressed by our political parties. Giving women free forms doesn’t add a value to the political race as this only limits you from achieving your aim of running for election, ‘’ she said.
She however lauded women politicians for persevering the harsh political terrain, while encouraging them to keep up the struggle until desired result is achieved.
