The United Nations organisation on Tuesday raised concern over the low participation and representation of women as candidates in the 2023 elections, describing it as unacceptable.
The organisation also described Nigeria as one of the lowest countries in women representation across the globe.
The UN Programme Specialist, Desmond Osemehenjie, stated these during a workshop on the promotion of women in politics organised by a civil rights organisation, Centre for Democracy Development.
At the event, the Acting Director (Gender Inclusivity Department) in the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dorothy Bello, represented by the Deputy Director (Civil Society Division), Ndidi Okafor, blamed the low representation of women in politics on the failure of the political parties to obey their constitutions.
She challenged them to always obey their rules to give women their rightful place and deepen democracy.
While describing women’s participation in politics in Nigeria as very appalling, unsatisfactory and unacceptable, Osemehenjie compared the scenario in Nigeria with other African countries.
He said, “If you look at the African sub-region, Nigeria is one of the lowest countries as far as representation on the parliament is concerned. Nigeria is just 4.1 per cent in the parliament, as we speak, while in other countries like Rwanda, it is 67 per cent.
