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News2023: UN Women said Current statistics of women candidates   disheartening

2023: UN Women said Current statistics of women candidates   disheartening

2023: UN Women said Current statistics of women candidates   disheartening

By: Femi Mustapha

The  United  Nations  UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS Ms Beatrice  EYONG has said the statistics of women candidates for the 2023 elections, which stands at 10.1% is disheartening, and a strong indication that the number of women in elective offices will further retrogress.

She asserted this at the  Joint  Official Launch of  the Programme on Women, Peace and Security, Advance women ‘s political participation, Affirmative Procurement in  Nigeria and the  HEFORSHE campaign in Kaduna yesterday.

According to her Gender equality and women’s full and equal participation in all areas of life, particularly in decision-making, are integral to the success of the Decade of Action and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

She, however said  her  organization is  encouraged by Kaduna State Governor    Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’s relentless efforts to advance equality in leadership in Kaduna state, exemplified by the significant representation of women in the executive cabinet and for having the only female deputy governor in Northern Nigeria.

Ms. BEATRICE EYONG who was represented by UN Women Deputy Country Representative Mr. Lansana Wonneh added  that this is a clear demonstration of his commitment to the achievement of the sustainable development goals and to deepening democracy in Nigeria. We urgently need other States to follow the great example set for women’s

She explained that everyone suffers from the  under-representation of women and their organizations, saying
Participation of women and girls in decision-making is needed for policies and budgets to effectively meet everyone’s needs and achieve crisis prevention, response, and recovery.

“The COVID-19 task force in Kaduna State, which was led by the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, with support from the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Amina Baloni. Was widely commended for effectively responding to COVID-19 and reducing COVID-19’s negative impacts.

“Despite the high cases recorded, Kaduna recorded an impressive high discharge rate of cases and fewer deaths compared to other states with fewer confirmed cases.

“This gives credence to initial studies indicating that countries with women in positions of leadership suffered approximately six times fewer deaths from COVID-19 as countries with governments led by men.

“It is against this background that UN Women with funding support from the Government of Canada is launching the Advance Women’s Political Participation project in Kaduna state, to address the low participation and representation of women in politics.

“Through this project, UN Women seeking to support women’s greater participation, election, and appointment in the 2023 electoral cycle and beyond.

“The Project will focus on placing women’s participation and decision-making at the Centre of results and activities. UN Women will implement the Project over a period of four years starting from March 2022, covering pre, during and post-2023 elections.

“The project will be implemented at the Federal level and in 6 target states: Borno, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kaduna and Kwara” she said.

In her remarks  Kaduna state Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai’ opined that  the  active participation of women and girls in shaping their future, based on a recognition of their dignity and capacities, is posited in several global policy frameworks as a basic condition to promote gender equality and women’s rights. SDG 16 “Peace, Justice and effective, accountable, inclusive Institutions” and SDG 5 “Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls” are understood and implemented together,

El-Rufai’ who was represented by his Deputy Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, stressed that  the campaign for the involvement of women in peace and security issues across cultures and societies is an age long thing, noting that efforts made by international organizations.

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