Moving Towards Gender Equality: Balancing Political Participation in Nigeria

A Strategy Workshop on Constitutional Reforms, Political Party Manifesto & Increasing

Women’s Representation and Participation

Nicon Hilton Abuja – Nigeria 5 – 7 September 2005

Handing over Handing over the Batonthe Baton

Bridging the Generational Gap: Sustaining Progress, Mentorship & Leadership Training for

Young People

By Saudatu Mahdi, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)

Nigeria’s Political Context

Traditional PoliticsTraditional PoliticsA.A. ValuesValues

• Power as domination - Power as domination - Exclusion Exclusion

• Win – Loss - Winner takes allWin – Loss - Winner takes all• Conflict and war - Conflict and war -

Violence/IntimidationViolence/Intimidation• Authoritative control - Political Authoritative control - Political Chieftains not LeadersChieftains not Leaders• Homogeneity - No diversity Homogeneity - No diversity

based on ideologybased on ideology

Political Context Cont.

B. ProcessesB. Processes•Top-down – No intra/inter party Top-down – No intra/inter party democracydemocracy

•Secretive – Weak communication in Secretive – Weak communication in party structures shrouded in intrigue. party structures shrouded in intrigue. Corrupt – Heavy monetization with Corrupt – Heavy monetization with little accountability to the party & little accountability to the party & electorate.electorate.

•Burdensome – Cumbersome Burdensome – Cumbersome requirements requirements

•Selective – Manipulations that Selective – Manipulations that scheme out vulnerable groups and scheme out vulnerable groups and individuals.individuals.

Political Context Cont.

C. InstitutionsC. Institutions•Hierarchical – Bureaucratic, Hierarchical – Bureaucratic, ineffective & removed from ineffective & removed from mainstream demands for efficiency.mainstream demands for efficiency.

•Autocratic – Exclude consultations Autocratic – Exclude consultations exhibiting arbitrariness and exhibiting arbitrariness and impunity.impunity.

•Dependant – Independence Dependant – Independence undermined, objectivity in the undermined, objectivity in the discharge of functions is limited.discharge of functions is limited.

Antecedents of Women’s Political Participation in Nigeria

• Women struggled alongside men for Women struggled alongside men for Independence from non-partisan platforms. Independence from non-partisan platforms.

• Post independence, women declared Post independence, women declared partisanship and joined political parties in few partisanship and joined political parties in few numbersnumbers

• Franchise to vote and be voted for gained at Franchise to vote and be voted for gained at varied points in Nigeria’s political history.varied points in Nigeria’s political history.

• Negative effects of patriarchy on the perception Negative effects of patriarchy on the perception of women in politics resulting in limitations for of women in politics resulting in limitations for constituency building. constituency building.

• Absence of a critical mass among women to Absence of a critical mass among women to support political struggles and enlarge the support political struggles and enlarge the numbers at all levels.numbers at all levels.

Antecedents Cont.• Absence of definite provisions for the Absence of definite provisions for the

application of quotas for women as a application of quotas for women as a basis for representation.basis for representation.

• Absence of platforms to entrench linkages Absence of platforms to entrench linkages among women to foster mentorship and among women to foster mentorship and leadership training for younger ones.leadership training for younger ones.

• Disenfranchisement due to un-even Disenfranchisement due to un-even playing field which is defined by money, playing field which is defined by money, violence and sharp practices.violence and sharp practices.

• Slow rate in the increase of the numbers Slow rate in the increase of the numbers of women in partisan politics and by of women in partisan politics and by extension, elective positions.extension, elective positions.

Who is Involved•Perceived ‘way ward’ or Perceived ‘way ward’ or

rebellious women.rebellious women.•SeniorSenior women considered tough. women considered tough.•Market women with antecedents Market women with antecedents

of organized pressure.of organized pressure.•Women with little education, Women with little education,

scope and economic disposition.scope and economic disposition.

Young Women in Politics?• The average age of female politicians is above 35.The average age of female politicians is above 35.• Of the female 29 female members in the National Of the female 29 female members in the National

Assembly, less than 10% were below 45 years of Assembly, less than 10% were below 45 years of age at election. age at election.

• At age 30, the average young woman is engaged At age 30, the average young woman is engaged in career struggles or the issues of bread and in career struggles or the issues of bread and butter.butter.

• The perception & experiences of young women of The perception & experiences of young women of politics, its processes results in apathy and politics, its processes results in apathy and distance.distance.

• There are no ideological leanings in political There are no ideological leanings in political parties to attract young women into partisanship.parties to attract young women into partisanship.

• There is no concrete link for mentoring young There is no concrete link for mentoring young girls in the age bracket of 20 – 25 (internship)girls in the age bracket of 20 – 25 (internship)

Attitude and experience among young women by interest in running for office

0102030405060708090

100

HaveLeadershipExperience

Involved incommunity

Believe theycan make adifference

Have beenencouraged

to run

Thinkpolitics is toocomplicated

Areinitiallyinterested

Shifttowardinterest

Are solidlynotinterested

80% of young people surveyed believe it is hard for Women, to run for political office

0102030405060708090

100

People ofColour

YoungPeople

Women Men

Percentage

Young peoples’ Perception of the Chances of Women running for office

60% of young people believe politics & government would improve if more young 60% of young people believe politics & government would improve if more young people held more elected positionspeople held more elected positions

0102030405060708090

100

People ofColour

YoungerPeople

Women Men

Percentage

Young peoples’ performance perceptions in governance based on age, gender & and colour

What needs to Change ?• Provide mentors, connections & Provide mentors, connections &

opportunities for hands-on experience opportunities for hands-on experience to make political involvement seem an to make political involvement seem an easier and more appealing task to easier and more appealing task to young women.young women.

• Provide role models as a critical step in Provide role models as a critical step in helping young women to envision helping young women to envision themselves in the political realm.themselves in the political realm.

• Show young women how politicians Show young women how politicians accomplish goals and make a difference accomplish goals and make a difference helps them to believe that running for helps them to believe that running for office could be worth the effort.office could be worth the effort.

Changes cont.• Boost young women’s confidence in their Boost young women’s confidence in their

issue and political knowledge, and provide issue and political knowledge, and provide them with information on issues that would them with information on issues that would make them feel more qualified to run for make them feel more qualified to run for office.office.

• Explain the political opportunities available Explain the political opportunities available at the local or community level to engage at the local or community level to engage young women’s interest – local office can be young women’s interest – local office can be a stepping stone to higher political a stepping stone to higher political aspirations.aspirations.

• Work with men and institutions to actively Work with men and institutions to actively convert politics from traditional to convert politics from traditional to transformational. transformational. Attributes Attributes include: include: Power as liberation, Win-Win, Peace and co-existence, Stewardship & service, Diversity, Participatory, Transparent, Clean, Empowering, Egalitarian, Accountable and Responsive.

StrategiesIndividual Individual (Senior Female Politicians)(Senior Female Politicians)• Politics worksPolitics works..

If the problem is with current people in office, If the problem is with current people in office, young women can have a tremendous impact in young women can have a tremendous impact in solving problems by bringing fresh leadership to solving problems by bringing fresh leadership to politics.politics.

• Issues matterIssues matter..Commitment to issues should be used as a Commitment to issues should be used as a serious motivator for young women sitting on serious motivator for young women sitting on the fence with regard to politics.the fence with regard to politics.

• Look to local opportunitiesLook to local opportunities..Focus on groups that perceive women in local Focus on groups that perceive women in local politics positively, are far less intimidating and politics positively, are far less intimidating and as a greater means to affect change than as a greater means to affect change than national politics, without the associated national politics, without the associated fundraising or politicking pressures. – THE fundraising or politicking pressures. – THE PEOPLES SENATE PEOPLES SENATE

The Peoples Senate…harnessing the power of The Peoples Senate…harnessing the power of Nigerian youths and womenNigerian youths and women

• Vision: Vision:

A truly politically conscious and informed Nigeria where everyone is A truly politically conscious and informed Nigeria where everyone is a guardian of our national identity and prosperity.a guardian of our national identity and prosperity.

• Mission : Mission :

Create an irreversible consciousness in the Nigerian people through Create an irreversible consciousness in the Nigerian people through education, debates, interaction and information gathering to education, debates, interaction and information gathering to permanently guarantee a Nigeria where every voice has a genuine permanently guarantee a Nigeria where every voice has a genuine hope of being heard.hope of being heard.

• Mission Statement:Mission Statement:

It is the intention of the Members of the People’s E Senate that the It is the intention of the Members of the People’s E Senate that the excellence of standards and sacrifice be present in the governance excellence of standards and sacrifice be present in the governance and leadership of this Country. The E-Senate has pledged to and leadership of this Country. The E-Senate has pledged to ensure that Leadership is truly by example by dedicating itself to ensure that Leadership is truly by example by dedicating itself to attaining the highest standards in Public life. The E-Senate shall attaining the highest standards in Public life. The E-Senate shall dedicate itself to spreading this mission statement to more dedicate itself to spreading this mission statement to more Nigerians and agitating the minds of more Nigerians and Nigerians and agitating the minds of more Nigerians and evangelizing the ethos of dedicated service in leadership and evangelizing the ethos of dedicated service in leadership and governance. governance.

MethodologyMethodology: Commenced with BB and moving to physical…: Commenced with BB and moving to physical…

Achievements: Achievements: Organised the first Youth Presidential Debate in Organised the first Youth Presidential Debate in 20112011

StrategiesIndividual Individual (Young Women)(Young Women)Inspire Yourself.Inspire Yourself.

62% of women surveyed stated that hearing about other young 62% of women surveyed stated that hearing about other young people who ran for office and now serve on city councils and in state people who ran for office and now serve on city councils and in state legislatures would make them more interested in running for office.legislatures would make them more interested in running for office.

Support Yourself.Support Yourself.Of those young women already very or somewhat interested in Of those young women already very or somewhat interested in running for office, 63% had been told they should run. This running for office, 63% had been told they should run. This “invitation factor” has more than twice the impact of any other “invitation factor” has more than twice the impact of any other variable in young women’s desire to run for office.variable in young women’s desire to run for office.

Find Mentors.Find Mentors.Over 70% of young women surveyed reported that they would be Over 70% of young women surveyed reported that they would be more interested in running for political office if they had a more interested in running for political office if they had a knowledgeable mentor to answer questions and give advice.knowledgeable mentor to answer questions and give advice.

Connect Yourself.Connect Yourself.83% of young women surveyed reported that knowing the right 83% of young women surveyed reported that knowing the right people would make running for office easierpeople would make running for office easier

Educate Yourself.Educate Yourself.60% of young women say that politics and government are too 60% of young women say that politics and government are too complicated for a person like them to understand.complicated for a person like them to understand.

Train Yourself.Train Yourself.79% of women surveyed believed that leadership training would 79% of women surveyed believed that leadership training would make running for office easier.make running for office easier.

StrategiesInstitutionalInstitutional1.1. Transform the political agenda to include Transform the political agenda to include

issues that are high on women’s priorities.issues that are high on women’s priorities.2.2. Build a constituency and network with various Build a constituency and network with various

groups on different levels (i.e. locally, groups on different levels (i.e. locally, nationally, internationally).nationally, internationally).

3.3. Strengthen the movement for transformation – Strengthen the movement for transformation – i.e., women’s organizations are able to create i.e., women’s organizations are able to create their own coherent set of agenda, to recruit their own coherent set of agenda, to recruit women’s support behind their agenda, and to women’s support behind their agenda, and to successfully negotiate with other successfully negotiate with other organizations.organizations.

4.4. Affirmative action to increase women’s Affirmative action to increase women’s numbers to a critical mass thus enabling numbers to a critical mass thus enabling women to push for their vision of politics and women to push for their vision of politics and polices.polices.

Strategies SocialSocial• VisibilityVisibility• Develop systematic methods to prepare women for media Develop systematic methods to prepare women for media

visibility;visibility;• Identify venues to spotlight women leaders, and Identify venues to spotlight women leaders, and

developing a “spotlighting” strategy;developing a “spotlighting” strategy;• Network women experts as media resources, within and Network women experts as media resources, within and

across professional disciplines.across professional disciplines.2.2. Engaging men as AlliesEngaging men as Allies• Reach out to men not only to talk about the problems, but Reach out to men not only to talk about the problems, but

as a proactive collaboration to develop solutions.as a proactive collaboration to develop solutions.• Host forums to reach out to men who have recognized and Host forums to reach out to men who have recognized and

supported women’s leadership and engage them in supported women’s leadership and engage them in conversations about women and power.conversations about women and power.

3.3. Transforming Popular CultureTransforming Popular Culture• Develop new cultural messages about women’s Develop new cultural messages about women’s

leadership.leadership.• Launch Awards event to honor those individuals and Launch Awards event to honor those individuals and

organizations that use their art to promote the image of organizations that use their art to promote the image of women as leaders.women as leaders.

StrategiesParliamentaryParliamentary (Female Parliamentary Caucuses) (Female Parliamentary Caucuses)1.1. Champion legislative reforms around Champion legislative reforms around

issues critical to transformation. issues critical to transformation. 2.2. Support policies and budget for the social Support policies and budget for the social

sector.sector.3.3. Initiate debate on campaign finance Initiate debate on campaign finance

reforms.reforms.4.4. Promote targeted policies and legislation Promote targeted policies and legislation

to empower women.to empower women.5.5. Network with the women’s movement.Network with the women’s movement.6.6. Nurture constituencies based on records Nurture constituencies based on records

of performance and service.of performance and service.7.7. Collaborate with women leaders elected Collaborate with women leaders elected

to local government offices.to local government offices.

StrategiesPoliticalPolitical1.1. Transform the political agenda to include Transform the political agenda to include

issues that are high on women’s priorities.issues that are high on women’s priorities.2.2. Build a constituency and network with various Build a constituency and network with various

groups on different levels (i.e. locally, groups on different levels (i.e. locally, nationally, internationally).nationally, internationally).

3.3. Strengthen the movement for transformation – Strengthen the movement for transformation – i.e., women’s organizations are able to create i.e., women’s organizations are able to create their own coherent set of agenda, to recruit their own coherent set of agenda, to recruit women’s support behind their agenda, and to women’s support behind their agenda, and to successfully negotiate with other organizations.successfully negotiate with other organizations.

4.4. Affirmative action to increase women’s Affirmative action to increase women’s numbers to a critical mass thus enabling numbers to a critical mass thus enabling women to push for their vision of politics and women to push for their vision of politics and polices.polices.

StrategiesMentoringMentoring• Create an environment that values Create an environment that values

mentoring. mentoring. • Develop mentoring infrastructure. Develop mentoring infrastructure. • Identify obvious talent and hidden Identify obvious talent and hidden

potential.potential.• Build networks for mentoring.Build networks for mentoring.• Identify new “client bases” for mentoring.Identify new “client bases” for mentoring.• Widen your mentoring “net”.Widen your mentoring “net”.• Teach the “long view”.Teach the “long view”.• Pay it forward. (Entice them)Pay it forward. (Entice them)• Celebrate the “shoulders”.Celebrate the “shoulders”.• Go beyond mentoring – become a “power- Go beyond mentoring – become a “power-

builder”! builder”!

Challenges1.1. Vested interest of dominant groups who have used the Vested interest of dominant groups who have used the

traditional political system to make money and buy traditional political system to make money and buy influence. The can use coercive power of the state or influence. The can use coercive power of the state or armed mercenaries to intimidate those seeking change. armed mercenaries to intimidate those seeking change. They can also spread mis-information and undercut They can also spread mis-information and undercut the support of prospective transformation seekers the support of prospective transformation seekers through their control of media.through their control of media.

2.2. Problem of co-optation i.e. groups seeking Problem of co-optation i.e. groups seeking transformation can be co-opted by dominant groups in transformation can be co-opted by dominant groups in the name of consultation, participation and dialogue. the name of consultation, participation and dialogue. How much one party gives or takes is problematic in a How much one party gives or takes is problematic in a dialogue between unequal parties.dialogue between unequal parties.

3.3. Fragmentation of pro-transformation forces – Many of Fragmentation of pro-transformation forces – Many of the women’s organizations are small and work in the women’s organizations are small and work in isolation. Their coalition building efforts are often isolation. Their coalition building efforts are often episodic thus it is difficult to put up a strong common episodic thus it is difficult to put up a strong common front against vested interests.front against vested interests.

4.4. Organizational weaknessOrganizational weakness

Examples of Transformative Women Leaders from South Asia

• Ela Bhat of the Self-Employed Women’s Ela Bhat of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India transformed the Association (SEWA) in India transformed the trade union movement by gaining recognition trade union movement by gaining recognition for the “uncounted” work of poor women such for the “uncounted” work of poor women such as street vending and home based piece rate as street vending and home based piece rate workers.workers.

• Sufia Kamal of Bangladesh demonstrated how Sufia Kamal of Bangladesh demonstrated how one can stand up to autocratic rule by one can stand up to autocratic rule by peaceful resistances.peaceful resistances.

• Jahanara Imam led the citizen’s movement in Jahanara Imam led the citizen’s movement in Bangladesh against the extremist Islamic Bangladesh against the extremist Islamic forces.forces.

Examples of Transformative Women Leaders in Nigeria

• Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti who defied colonial authorities to Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti who defied colonial authorities to mobilise women against unfair living conditions.mobilise women against unfair living conditions.

• Mrs. Margaret Ekpo who became an icon in the political struggle Mrs. Margaret Ekpo who became an icon in the political struggle for Nigeria’s independence. She had the great leaders of nationalism for Nigeria’s independence. She had the great leaders of nationalism as her mentors and inspiration.as her mentors and inspiration.

• Hajiya Gambo Sawaba who defied the Northern oligarchy and Hajiya Gambo Sawaba who defied the Northern oligarchy and religious manipulations of her culture to actively participate in the religious manipulations of her culture to actively participate in the activities of a left-wing party.activities of a left-wing party.

• Sadiya Musa 30 year old lady who is inspired by the activism of Ms. Sadiya Musa 30 year old lady who is inspired by the activism of Ms. Naja’atu Mohammed another young female politician who has on Naja’atu Mohammed another young female politician who has on occasions stood still the autocracy in conservative political occasions stood still the autocracy in conservative political arrangements in Kano State and within her party. arrangements in Kano State and within her party.

• Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, veteran care giver turned politician who used her Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, veteran care giver turned politician who used her background in human psychology to turn the tide of her political background in human psychology to turn the tide of her political party in her zone, even though she lost out of the governorship party in her zone, even though she lost out of the governorship primaries.primaries.

• Hon. Saudatu Sani who in the ‘new north’ was able to forge through Hon. Saudatu Sani who in the ‘new north’ was able to forge through a closely knit Muslim constituency to win a national Parliamentary a closely knit Muslim constituency to win a national Parliamentary seat in 2003seat in 2003

• Hon. Azumi Namadi Bebeji who with little or no education started a Hon. Azumi Namadi Bebeji who with little or no education started a career in labour politics which became her platform for partisan career in labour politics which became her platform for partisan politics and political office elections including governorship seat in politics and political office elections including governorship seat in Kano State.Kano State.

References1.1. Summary of results from the study Pipeline to the Future: Young Women, Summary of results from the study Pipeline to the Future: Young Women,

Motivation, And Success in Politics, commissioned by The White House ProjectMotivation, And Success in Politics, commissioned by The White House Project

http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org/KnowTheFacts/Research/pipelinefuturesum.html

2.2. Summary and Selected Highlights from May 2002 Summit National Women’s Summary and Selected Highlights from May 2002 Summit National Women’s Leadership Summit 2002.Leadership Summit 2002.For more information contact: The White House Project at 212-785-6001 or For more information contact: The White House Project at 212-785-6001 or admin@thewhitehouseproject.org

3.3. Highlights from Plenary 1 - Transformative Leadership in the 21Highlights from Plenary 1 - Transformative Leadership in the 21stst Century: A Century: A Framework for Transforming Politics and Leadership by Dr. Rounaq Jahan, Framework for Transforming Politics and Leadership by Dr. Rounaq Jahan, Professor, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University. 20Professor, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University. 20thth Sept/2000.Sept/2000.http://www.capwip.org/resources/womparlconf2000/plenary1.htm

4.4. Women Empowered – Women in Parliament in South Africa, by Mavivi Women Empowered – Women in Parliament in South Africa, by Mavivi Myakayaka-Manz. Myakayaka-Manz. International IDEA(International Development and , 2002, Women in International IDEA(International Development and , 2002, Women in Parliament, Stockholm (this is an updated version of the case study which was Parliament, Stockholm (this is an updated version of the case study which was originally published in International IDEA’s Handbook: Women in Parliament: originally published in International IDEA’s Handbook: Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers, Stockholm, International IDEA, 1998).Beyond Numbers, Stockholm, International IDEA, 1998).

5. 5. SANI HajoSANI Hajo Women and National Development: The Way forward-Ibadan, Spectrum Books Women and National Development: The Way forward-Ibadan, Spectrum Books

Limited, 2001.Pg 132Limited, 2001.Pg 132

6. 6. Women, Marginalization and Politics in Nigeria-edited by Jibrin Ibrahim et al., Women, Marginalization and Politics in Nigeria-edited by Jibrin Ibrahim et al., Abuja: OSIWA, 2004. pg 81-92, 209 222…..Abuja: OSIWA, 2004. pg 81-92, 209 222…..