Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the International Republican Institute (IRI) says it will continue to work with political parties to eliminate barriers to women’s political representation.
The group at a training tagged “PDP Male Allies Transformative Training,” in Abuja Monday said members of the party’s State Working Committee were specifically targeted to introduce them to the issues of gender mainstreaming.
IRI Deputy Director, Sunday Alao, stressed the need for the male counterpart to support gender advocacy and policies around gender inclusion.
He said: “So we have one person from each of the state working committees, and the intent is to see how we can make them become allies for gender-friendly policies, and also to serve a centre of influence for other male counterparts that are members of the state working committee.”
On her part, Executive Director, She Can Lead Initiative, Chikas Kumle said women will bring laudable ideas into governance if given the opportunity.
She said more women in governance will bring about good governance.
The women advocate said: “when women are given more opportunity to serve in every capacity, they bring in different ideas and different perspectives to the table.
“So we need everyone to understand why we need the women. And I also want to use this opportunity to say we are bringing in more women advocating for more women.
“When I say we I mean International Republican Institute. They are bringing in more women and men to talk about this subject to ensure that they understand that bringing in more women in government increase the delivery of good governance to the citizens.
While delivering a lecture titled “Gender and Power”, IRI Consultant Kenya, Anyona Gichuru lamented that women contribute more than 60% of the population of any growing nation, yet not give opportunities in a leadership role.
He said findings shown that women make better leaders than women.
Gichuru urged the male counterparts to support women seeking political positions.
He said ” we also need to develop an environment where both women and men have reasonable access to opportunities and resources.
“Political leaders and other stakeholders must ensure that deliberate and targeted steps are taken to ensure gender equity is achieved.”
