Written by Malik Elama
Women, like the opposite gender, should have a say in enacting policies that can positively impact the society vis-a-vis governance or any leadership position. Women inclusiveness in the political space is also key to promoting democracy and sustaining national development.
Nigeria, as a country, cannot boast of democracy if women are still alienated or relegated to background without giving them the opportunity to contribute their own quota to economic, political, and social development of our nation. We must give women a sense of belonging by carrying them along in decision making, particularly critical decisions that would transform the nation in the long run. It is about time we outgrew the primitive myth that women should only be domesticated without giving them opportunity to bring about the sustainable development which we truly desire.
It may interest us to know that as of September 2022, research showed that only 13 countries have women as heads of states while about 15 women serve as heads of Government. At this current rate, it may be unrealistic to attain gender equilibrium at the highest positions of authority for the next 40 years.
Likewise, statistics has shown that only 21 per cent of government ministers are women globally. Meanwhile, only 14 countries having been able to achieve up to 50 per cent of women representation in cabinet, with an annual increase of just 0.52 percent. This oppressive practice makes gender parity in ministerial positions appear unattainable even till the next 3 decades.
In the same vein, only 26 per cent of all national parliamentarians around the world are women, which is quite encouraging because it indicates about 11 per cent increase since 1995.
Similarly, about 27 countries have managed to reach or surpassed 40 per cent of women representation in government, which 15 countries in Europe, 5 in Latin America and the Caribbean, 5 in Africa, 1 in Asia, and 1 in the Pacific. Unfortunately, from the above-mentioned statistics, it is quite easy to deduce that gender balance in national legislative bodies may not be achieved in next 20 years.
On the other hand, a number of countries have evolved astronomically by producing more than 50 per cent of women representation in parliament. For instance, Mexico has 50 per cent, and the United Arab Emirates also has 50 per cent; while Nicaragua has 51 per cent; Cuba has 53 per cent; and Rwanda has 61 per cent. Other progressive countries are: Austria (57%), Belgium (57%), Sweden (57%), Albania (56%), Costa Rica (52%) Canada (51%), while Andorra, Finland, France, Guinea-Bissau, and Spain all have 50%.
Apart from the rare occasions of women easily getting intoxicated with power and authority, there are still numerous others who are capable of exhibiting compassion, competence, and the fear of God if vested power, authority, and lofty positions. Of course, it is true that we cannot accurately estimate the wealth of knowledge, experience, and abilities of people until we give them a chance to prove themselves worthy and valuable.
However, there is the need for women to indicate interest in governance and make themselves available for the responsibility instead of staying aloof from the corridors of power and authority. I urge women to integrate themselves into our nascent democratic dispensation so as to correct the anomaly and disparity in the equitable representation of both genders at the helms of affairs. It has become a matter of necessity for women to be at the vanguard of day-to-day handling of Nigeria’s affairs. According to a renowned freedom fighter and former president of Ijaw Youth Council, Asari Dokubo, “We must learn a lesson!”
