The president of the Chamber of the Ekiti State Assembly, Aribasoye, has asked political and legislative institutions in the country to believe more opportunities for women.
While regretting the low participation of women in politics, Aibasoye said that there is a need for proactive measures to address their sub -presentation in decision -making processes.
The speaker spoke during an event organized by the Balm Foundation in Gilead for sustainable development (Bigif), with the support of UN women, to gather men and children under the Heforshe movement to advocate for gender quotas and defend gender equality in political and leadership spaces.
The one -day dialogue had assistants to interested parties, including political leaders, government representatives, private sector leaders, civil society organizations and grassroots defenders.
Aribasoye spoke in an opening speech entitled 'Accelerate the action, building alliances: men as allies to advance the political participation of women',
According to him, “this sub -presentation marked not only undermines the principles of democracy, but also prevents the socioeconomic development of the nation. When women are excluded from decision -making, we lose the valuable perspectives, experiences and ideas that contribute to the table to write policies that really meet the needs of our communities.
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“We recognize that women cannot achieve true progress; It requires the active, conscious and sustained commitment of men as allies and couples. We must dismantle the deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that continue to prevent the full participation of women in the political sphere.
“The Heforshe movement is a powerful reminder that gender equality is not a problem of women; It is a human rights problem. It is a social imperative that requires collective responsibility that requires the active participation of men. Men, who often occupy positions of power, have the ability to challenge and transform the social structures that perpetuate inequality. “
The executive director, Bigif, Dr. Oluwatumininu Adedeji, emphasized the critical role of male allies in the rupture of systemic barriers against the political participation of women.
“Achieving gender equality is not just a problem of women: it requires the commitment of men and institutions to challenge prejudices, support affirmative action and guarantee equal opportunities for all,” he said.