MRS SOLUDO BEMOANS WOMEN’S PERFORMANCE IN 2023 ELECTIONS, DEMANDS MORE POLITICAL INCLUSION FOR WOMENT

REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE

The wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has called for broader review of the National Gender Policy and supporting bills to give better room for involvement of women in political representation in Nigeria.

Mrs. Soludo made the call in Awka while speaking on the performance of female candidates, who contested in the 2023 general election.

Mrs. Soludo’s remarks followed a recent review that 96% of women, who contested in the 2023 general election, lost to their male counterparts across the country.

The review, which was conducted by a leading national daily, disclosed that 1,553 women were on the ballot for the presidential, governorship, national and state assemblies elections held on February 25 and March 18, 2023.

However, of a total of 15,307 candidates, who contested under the 18 registered political parties, male candidates constituted 13,754, which represented 89.8% while the 1,553 female candidates represented 10.1&.

It further revealed that analysis of the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that only 72 women got elected at federal and state levels, while 1,487 lost the elections.

Mrs. Soludo, while describing the results as unsatisfactory, considering the great role women play in the socio-political development of Nigeria, said it had become pertinent to make the country’s overall political framework friendly to women.

The Anambra State Governor’s wife explained that it was time to review the National Gender Policy and similar initiatives, with the aim of giving them strong legal backing to give women better support and encourage them to take part in party politics.

She noted that it would be impractical to talk about women involvement in politics if obvious political and social impediments were not removed.

While congratulating the women, who won in the elections, Mrs. Soludo enjoined them to serve with humaneness, compassion and vision that women are known for, and remember to use their positions to affect the lives of others.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU