By Bolanle Lawal

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A group of 20 different Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Friday, urged political parties to take deliberate and concrete steps toward advancing women’s political representation through elections.

The coalition, in a statement signed by its representatives in Ado Ekiti, urged political parties in Ekiti, through the Inter-Party Advisory Council, (IPAC) to ensure that the interest of women is well cared for.

They stressed the need for the political parties, activists, electoral stakeholders, government institutions, and the public to “ensure that internal processes are free from discrimination, intimidation and exclusion”.

The coalition bemoaned the low level of women’s participation in leadership positions.

According to them, there had been a disconnect despite the country’s commitment to inclusive governance and 35 per cent affirmative action for women.

The CSOs, according to the statement, affirmed that, “your leadership is essential to the future of our democracy. This is the time to step forward, organise, and contest”.

“This is a call to ensure that women are given fair, transparent and genuine opportunities to contest, compete, and emerge as candidates within party structures and electoral processes.

“Beyond the state Houses of Assembly, women must also be accorded serious consideration for positions in both the lower and upper chambers of the national assembly.

“Rather than being sidelined in political negotiations, consensus arrangements, and power-sharing discussions.”

They noted that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees every citizen the right to vote and be voted for.

They added: “This constitutional right must be reflected in practice, not merely in principle. Women are not only voters; they are critical stakeholders in nation-building, democratic governance, and sustainable development.

“The time has come for intentional inclusion and meaningful representation of women in politics, beyond symbolic gestures and tokenism.

Political parties in Ekiti State must demonstrate genuine commitment to inclusive democracy by creating enabling environments that support and promote women’s leadership and participation.

“Ekiti State has made significant progress that requires strong political will and political parties’ commitment to maintain the giant stride.

The CSOs include Women’s Political Participation in Ekiti State, the Women Political Participation Working Group, and the New Generation Girls and Women Development Initiative (NIGAWD).

Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF); Ekiti Women Arise (EWA); Ekiti Women Advocacy Team (EWAT); and Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI).

Others are: Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion (GRIP ); Foundation for Excellent Living and Development (FELAD); Disability not a Barrier Initiative (DINABI); Media for Human Development Foundation; Kids and Teens Resources Centre (K&TRC) and others.

They also include the Gender Advocacy Network (GANnet); Rays of Hope Foundation for Sustainable Development; and Lighthouse Charity and Legacy Foundation. (NAN)