The United Nations has advocated for the prevention of violence against women saying “All forms of violence and discrimination, prevent women from exercising their equal right to participate in all spheres of public life

The UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS. Ms. Beatrice Eyong, who made the call at the Post-election conference in Abuja, organised by UNWOMEN, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Government of Canada and European Union (EU), urged Member Nations to take concrete measures to create a safe and enabling environment for women to engage in public life, and ensure that those responsible for violations and abuses against women are promptly brought to justice.

“The 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (2021), (CSW) recognized that all forms of violence and discrimination, including in digital contexts, prevent women from exercising their equal right to participate in all spheres of public life. The agreed conclusions of the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (2021), emphasized that the promotion of full and equal participation and leadership of women in public life and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls are interconnected. Member states should take practical steps to prevent and address violence, including by combating impunity and ensuring that those responsible for violations and abuses are promptly brought to justice”. Eyong explained

According to Ms. Eyong, violent acts committed towards women are gender-based and they intend to discourage women from being politically active, it is often used to intimidate women from practising their political rights in the first place. “The Maputo Protocol also guarantees comprehensive rights to women including the right to take part in the political process, to social and political equality with men. It states clearly in article 9 the Right to Participation in the Political and Decision-Making Process. Undertaking firm measures to prevent violence including legal reforms is one of the most effective means to ensure women’s protection, participation and representation in public life including eliminating laws, policies and practices that discriminate against women”. She said

The UN Women Country Representative, while reiterating the UN’s commitment to promoting Women’s participation in politics also noted that the conference was apt.

“The Lack of data on violence against women in politics (VAWP) negatively affects evidence-based advocacy for influencing changes in laws and policies and for establishing comprehensive protection systems for women in politics; “This interactive conference constitutes the right space for sharing information and experiences on data collection and how can we all together improve our methods and approaches in a more coordinated manner. We are also looking to a joint summary national report on violence against women in 2023 elections that we will use all together as an advocacy tool for action and protection. I would like to assure you of UNWOMEN’s commitment to ensure adequate follow up to the practical recommendations that will be made here today, and that will make the issue of gender-based violence in elections more visible”. She noted

The Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ms Samuela Isopi, lamented that women were underrepresented in Nigeria’s political environment, which the 2023 elections showed a trend in the wrong direction, which calls for more efforts to bridge the gap.

“The European Union is delighted that UN Women, in collaboration with the Nigerian government, security services, traditional leaders, civil society, INEC IPAC, and the Canadian government is providing a platform to hold serious conversations on deepening the democratic space for women and addressing root causes for low women’s participation in the elections. Women candidates and women voters have faced violence and aggression, including in the online sphere. This is the moment for serious reflection about how to break cycles of gender-based violence affecting women, in the electoral process”.

Isopi added that “The active participation of women at all levels of decision-making and politics is not only a human right, but also essential to the achievement of equality, peace and democracy. The full and equitable participation of women in public life is essential to building and sustaining strong, vibrant democracies. There is strong evidence that as more women are elected to office, there is an increase in policy making that emphasizes quality of life, and reflects the priorities of families, women, and marginalised groups. This is why concerted efforts must be made to break the barriers to meaningful participation of women in leadership positions. The European Union remains committed to collaborating on this very important cause”. Isopi added

For his part, the Emir of Fika and Chairman, Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers, Dr. Muhammadu Idrissa while declaring the conference open said that; “On the dangers of GBV a lot has been done to address it, we hope that with this conference, we will get solutions to improve the course of Women in Nigeria. Am happy to say that we in Yobe state, in my Local Government Area, Fatima Talba won the Federal House of Representatives for Nangere/ Potiskum constituency and another Woman Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim won the Damaturu, Gujba, Gulani, Tarmuwa constituency . We’re moving forward and we hope for a remarkable change by next elections with the efforts of our partners especially the UN Women”.

The workshop with the theme: “Where do we stand regarding Electoral Gender Based Violence?” was aimed at sharing information, assessing the electoral gender-based violence during the 2023 elections and promoting coordination through the compilation of data into a national summary report.

Source: Voice of Nigeria