ABUJA – Mrs Grace Ongile the representative of UN Women in Nigeria and ECOWAS, has called on Nigerian women to vie for elective positions in the 2015 general elections irrespective of discrimination against them.
Ongile made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the launching of the National Platform of Women for peaceful elections held on Friday in Abuja.
She stressed the need to encourage women to participate in politics as part of the process of guaranteeing their rights as human beings and contribute their quota to the political process.
She said the platform was set up to address some of the challenges that hinder women from voting and being voted for.
She added that it was also set up to minimise violence during and after elections and address the challenges hindering women from participating in politics.
“It’s a well known fact that many women do not come out as voters or to be voted for because of violence at all levels.
“We are trying to encourage women to use their numbers to come out to vote and be voted for in order for them to be part of decision making in the country,’’ Ongile said.
She urged female politicians to support each other to widen the political space for women ahead of the 2015 polls.
The UN official pointed out that the claim women were their own enemies was a stereotype to prevent them from working together.
She called on Nigerian women to use their numerical strength to effect changes in the country.(NAN)
UN official urges Nigerian women to vie for elective positions
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