In an initiative aimed at bridging the gender gap in Nigeria’s political landscape, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has recently trained 300 women in the Remo North, Ikenne and Sagmu Local Government Area of Ogun State on political participation and representation.
The training aligns with NILDS’ commitment to empower women and advocate for their active involvement in governance.
Speaking at the event in Sagamu on Wednesday, Titilayo Daniel, a representative of NILDS, highlighted the disparity in women’s representation across various leadership positions, from local to national levels.
Daniel noted that despite their proven leadership abilities, structural, social, and economic barriers prevent Nigerian women from realizing their full potential in the political sphere.
The NILDS representative underscored the urgency of addressing these inequalities, emphasizing that women’s political participation is not merely an issue of fairness but essential for a robust democracy.
Her words " NILDS with support from UN Women, provides training for women politicians to help build their capacities on gender equality.
"We back gender equality advocates in calling on political parties, governments and others to do their part in empowering women.
"Also, NILDS with support from UN Women advocates for legislative and constitutional reforms to ensure women's fair access to political spheres.
"Enhancing women's political representation in Nigeria is a task we cannot afford to neglect. Female legislators, through effective constituency outreach, hold the power to reshape our political landscape and ensure that Nigeria's future is one of inclusivity, equality, and progress.
"At NILDS, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to empower female legislators
and support efforts aimed at increasing women's representation in politics."
During the training, Terta Gbahabo of the National Institute for Development and Legislative Studies (NILDS) emphasized that effective legislator-constituent relations are built on understanding and representing the interests of the people.
He added that Legislators must keep open lines of communication, proactively gather insights from the community, and be well-informed about constituent concerns to provide meaningful representation.
He outlined several strategies legislators can use to improve constituent relations such as maintaining open channels of communication, including constituency visits, regular SMS or email check-ins, and social media platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram.
To keep constituents informed, Gbahabo explained that the legislators should regularly disseminate updates on their activities by utiilizing media platforms such as radio, television, and newsletters, as well as organizing community outreaches, can enhance transparency and keep constituents engaged.
In her remarks, Rt. Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, Deputy Chief Whip of the 10th House of Representatives, lauded the dedication of women participants at a political training workshop focused on effective representation and increased female participation in politics.
Onanuga represented by Prince Adebola Adejumo expressed appreciation for the women’s commitment to understanding key perspectives in political representation and know the importance of women’s involvement in the nation’s decision-making processes.
She encouraged the participants to see themselves as vital contributors to political leadership, whether through elected office or by actively engaging with their communities.
"As women, we bring unique perspectives and insights that are essential to balanced governance. This workshop is a crucial step towards equipping you to represent and advocate for the needs of your communities."
She advised the participants to continue building their political networks, emphasizing that sustained support and collaboration among women can drive significant progress in political spaces traditionally dominated by men.
