EKITI STATE GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO ENHANCE WOMEN’S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.
The Ekiti State Government has reiterated its commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to bolster women’s political participation in the State. This declaration was made by the Director-General of the Bureau of Civic Orientation and Citizenship (BCOC), Mrs Olawumi Famuyiwa, during her keynote presentation at an engagement event with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Ado Ekiti. The event, themed “Collaborating for Enhancing Women’s Political Participation,” aimed to foster dialogue and commitment towards improving women’s involvement in governance.
Mrs Famuyiwa expressed gratitude for the collective efforts directed at enhancing women’s roles in political and civic spheres. She highlighted that overcoming the barriers women face in accessing political power necessitates a united front among government institutions, civil society organizations, and community leaders.
In her presentation, She acknowledged the gradual increase in women’s engagement in political and civic activities in Ekiti State, including voter mobilization and community organization. However, She underscored the ongoing challenge of inadequate representation of women in decision-making positions.
While the appointment of the first female Head of Service in 2018 marked a significant milestone, persistent issues such as financial constraints and socio-cultural biases continue to impede women’s access to elective offices, limiting their impact on governance.
As of 2024, under the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji administration female representation in the State House of Assembly has shown remarkable improvement, with six women currently serving,and 106 others in elective and appointive positions bringing the state closer to its goal of 35% inclusion in governance. Nevertheless, Mrs Famuyiwa raised concerns regarding ongoing challenges, including political violence and entrenched patriarchal structures that hinder women’s full participation in politics. She called for systemic support to create an enabling environment where women can effectively engage in political and decision-making processes.
Mrs Famuyiwa urged all stakeholders to forge stronger partnerships to dismantle existing barriers. She emphasized the importance of joint programs and coordinated advocacy efforts to amplify women’s voices in politics, stating, “When we collaborate, the impact is multiplied.” By fostering mentorship initiatives and collaborative platforms, the community can nurture an environment conducive to women’s empowerment.
Highlighting the necessity of involving men as allies in the quest for gender parity, Famuyiwa’s message resonated with the call for sustained collaboration and action, paving the way for a brighter future for women’s political engagement in Nigeria.
Conclusively, She called for movement from dialogue to action.The Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji called for deliberate and sustained engagement of women in politics, especially those in tertiary institutions and at the grassroots level, to establish political participation as a cultural norm rather than a seasonal ambition. She outlined practical steps to enhance women’s representation across all tiers of governance in the state.
Dr Oyebanji stressed that early political orientation and structured mentoring would foster leadership among young women, building their confidence to actively participate in governance. “To achieve meaningful inclusion, we must start grooming our girls and young women early in our campuses, communities, and local government areas, ensuring that participation in politics becomes a natural progression rather than an afterthought,” she asserted.
She commended Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for his firm commitment to inclusive governance, citing the increased number of female appointments under his administration. However, the Wife of the Governor urged stakeholders to complement the administration’s efforts with deliberate policies and coordinated action.
In her welcome remarks, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi, emphasized the need to dismantle structural and cultural barriers that limit women’s access to leadership positions.
