Despite accounting for nearly half of the voting population (47% in the 2019 general election), with figures from the Osun state general election stating that they constituted 52.76% of the voters, women’s political participation over the years has been marred by several factors, with violence against women before, during and after elections becoming a major factor in recent times.
Recently, the Center joined the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria during a Methodology Workshop on the Review of a Draft Tool Aimed at Increasing Women’s Political Participation to address the impact of election-related violence on women and girls.
For us at the Center, one of the key drivers of transparency is equity, it is only when women are empowered and given a level playing ground to participate in elections without any form of discrimination, can we be guaranteed of free, fair and credible elections, and representative governance.
Ahead of the 2023 elections therefore, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies must work to improve the safety of women, People with Disabilities and guarantee the transparency of the poll.
The Center is committed to working with relevant stakeholders (government, development partners, civil society organizations and media) towards promoting transparency of the polls. We also want to seize this opportunity to call on political parties and all candidates in the 2023 elections to disclose the sources of their campaign financing as required by law, and in line with our Electoral Financing Project.