The European Union (EU), United Nations and other stakeholders, have called on the Federal Government to encourage more women to participate in the 2019 elections.
They made this submission at a thematic breakfast meeting, titled ‘Women’s participation in the 2019 Nigerian general elections’ organised by EU in collaboration with UN women, on Thursday in Abuja.
The Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Richard Young, said it was imperative for more women in Nigeria to participate in politics.
According to him, this will help in reducing poverty and increase economic growth in the country.
Young said women participation in politics was about fundamental human rights, “more women participation in politics is all about Human Rights, our human value and economical beneficial”.
Comfort Lamptey, Country Representative, UN Women, Nigeria, in her remarks expressed hope that 2019 would bring more miracle by seeing more women in leadership position in Nigeria.
Amb. of Denmark in Nigeria, Torben Getterman, in his goodwill message said, “considering the population of Nigeria, there should be a sizeable number of women participation in politics, either as voters or candidates to be voted for.
“It is our wish to reach out to more women to participate in politics. We must make more women to vote for women,” he said.
Meanwhile the Delegation of the EU to Nigeria and ECOWAS had condemned what it called “interference in the democratic process by law enforcement services’ in Nigeria.
The Union in a statement earlier called on all law enforcement agents to stay neutral and non-partisan in the country’s democratic process.
The EU noted with concern the barring of access to the National Assembly on Aug. 7 by the masked security operatives and officials of the Department of State Services (DSS).
“It is imperative for all law enforcement agents to stay neutral and ensure that independent institutions operate in line with their constitutional mandates, free from interference and intimidation.
“The EU is fully committed to supporting democracy in Nigeria,” it added.