The Executive Director of the foundation, Dr Oluwatumininu Adedeji, made the emphasis on Tuesday at the end of a two-day workshop organised by the foundation in Ado-Ekiti.
Adedeji said the workshop trained about 40 participants having observed the need to educate, enlighten and empower women for active political participation, especially in Ekiti State.
She said the stakeholders, drawn from working groups, Civil Society Organisations, and the media, were equipped with specialised training on advancing women’s political participation.
The executive director said the participants also emphasised the need for inclusivity and sensitisation of men to the unique needs of women in governance.
She said the workshop featured discussions, contributions and recommendations to serve as platforms for fostering collaboration and enhancing advocacy capabilities.
“Key issues such as advocacy strategies, community organising, grassroots mobilisation, gender-responsive legislation, and preventative measures to Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP) were highlighted.
“This adds up to underscore the importance of leveraging numerical strength for increased representation, recognising the pivotal role of men in supporting women in politics.
“The high point of the event was the recommendation on the drafting of a roadmap to the attainment of 35 per cent affirmative action for women participation in governance, to be submitted to the state governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji,” she said.
The gathering, she said, also secured the commitment and support of the Ekiti State Ministry of Women Affairs in the area of effective planning and sustainability of the advocacy. (NAN)
