INWOAD URGES INCLUSION OF MORE WOMEN IN NIGERIAN GOVERNANCE

As the world marks International Women’s Day, the Initiative for Women’s Accelerated Development in Africa, INWOAD, has called for a significant increase in women’s participation in governance, describing the current representation as grossly inadequate for a democracy. The organisation made the call in a statement issued in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day under the theme, Give to Gain.

The President and Founder of the Initiative for Women’s Accelerated Development in Africa, INWOAD, Evelyn Onyilo, in the statement, urged individuals, government, and organisations to contribute their quota by creating more opportunities for women through donations, skills acquisition and training, advocacy and intergenerational mentorship. The statement highlighted the power of reciprocity and support in achieving gender equality and sustainable development.

Evelyn Onyilo also called on major stakeholders and partners to accelerate support in upholding women’s rights and access to justice, especially as they relate to Sexual and Gender Based Violence. She stressed that most often, women and girls suffer injustice while perpetrators of such violence go scot free.

The President of INWOAD decried the low representation of women in Nigeria’s political space and said the situation whereby women are excluded in governance and elective positions is unacceptable and negates the principle of true democratic ideals. She specifically called on the National Assembly to pass the Special Seats Bill before it so as to bridge the gender gaps in politics.

INWOAD further called on governments at all levels to appoint more women into positions of governance as a mark of justice, equity and fairness which are the hallmarks of genuine democracy. The current situation where less than five percent of women are in the National Assembly is grossly inadequate and unacceptable for a country that prides itself as the giant of Africa, Evelyn Onyilo stated.

While congratulating all women on the 2026 International Women’s Day, Evelyn Onyilo enjoined women to be supportive of one another as the 2027 Elections draw nearer to ensure that women candidates are nominated and elected into various positions of authority.