ElectHER Expands Advocacy Beyond Politics, Focusing on Women's Empowerment, Public Life, & Security

ElectHER, a non-partisan organization, is expanding its advocacy efforts to go beyond Women's participation in politics and focus on their involvement in public life, economic empowerment, peace, and security. The organization, which has been active for the past four years, has primarily concentrated on advancing the role of women in the political arena.

However, it now aims to address three key areas: women's participation in public life, economic empowerment, and ensuring peace and security, with the overarching goal of increasing the representation of women in decision-making roles and improving the lives of women and children in Nigeria.

Founder and CEO of ElectHER, Ibijoke Faborode, emphasized the importance of moving beyond just women thriving in politics. The organization aims to create a more inclusive society that considers the lived experiences of women in all aspects of life and ensures that policies are designed with women in mind.

During a discussion at the Hersummit2023 event by HerNetwork, several prominent figures highlighted the significance of women's leadership. Stephanie Busari, CNN's Senior Editor for Africa, pointed out that countries led by women had been notably successful in managing their response to the pandemic.

Debbie Larry-Izamoje, CEO of Brila Media, drew attention to the lack of female representation in decision-making for female sports teams in Nigeria. She highlighted the need for greater inclusivity in sports governance.

Ibijoke Faborode highlighted the differences between Nigeria and many international countries when it comes to laws concerning women. While Nigeria may have progressive policies on paper, there are challenges in translating these policies into legal frameworks. For instance, five gender-centric bills aimed at promoting women's rights were rejected by the National Assembly.

These bills included proposals for a special seat for women in the National and State Assembly, expanding citizenship criteria, providing affirmative action for women's participation in politics, establishing criteria for qualification as a state indigene, and allocating quotas for women in federal and state executive councils.

To improve the rule of law in Nigeria, there is a need for better implementation and enforcement of policies, irrespective of an individual's social status or wealth. Public education about the law and citizens' rights is also crucial to hold the government accountable.

ElectHER's expanded advocacy efforts aim to address these challenges and promote gender equality and women's empowerment in Nigeria comprehensively.