ENUGU WOMEN PUSH FOR POLITICAL INCLUSION AND EQUALITY

Women groups in Enugu State are calling for greater inclusion and equal opportunities in politics, stressing that achieving gender balance is key to stronger governance.

Marking International Women’s Day 2026, the groups highlighted that women remain underrepresented, with only *2 out of 24 members in the state assembly being women, far below the UN-recommended 35% affirmative action target. They urged governments and society to *create space for women in leadership and decision-making.

Leaders from initiatives like NELCCI, Heroine Women Foundation, and WINET emphasized that women’s contributions at home and in society are often overlooked, and stressed the need to challenge gender-based violence and societal bias. They encouraged women to contest elections, support female candidates, and demand accountability ahead of 2027 polls.

Associate Prof. Chimezie Atama of Equity Watch Initiative added, “When women grow, families gain. When women thrive, the state gains, and when women lead, the world gains.”