Hfdi-ifa Uses Media Advocacy To Advance Women's Political Participation In South West

By Shola Aderinto,

Towards achieving Women's political participation which is crucial for achieving gender equality and inclusive governance, Hope for Family Development Initiatives HFDI and Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen ifa has chosen media advocacy as one of the tools for it's campaign in the South West, Nigeria project.

At the media advocacy which held at NUJ Press Centre Osogbo on Tuesday, the non-governmental organization stated that despite progress, South West Nigeria still faces significant gender disparities in political representation, added that empowering female elected candidates is essential for enhancing women's voices in decision-making processes and promoting a more equitable society.

The Executive Director of Hope for Family Development Initiatives HFDI, Ambassador Dr Aremu Stephen Akinyele speaking at the briefing represented by the program manager, Mrs Adeola Falana said that the challenges which is somehow rooted in deep-rooted patriarchal norms, thereby limiting women's access to political leadership positions, among others, Gender-Sensitive Legislation, Financial Support Mechanisms, Capacity Building Programs, Gender Mainstreaming in Political Parties, and addressing Gender-Based Violence, as well as Public Awareness Campaigns: can be used to showcase the importance of women's political participation.

HFDI-IFA asserted that by addressing the barriers women face and implementing targeted strategies, inclusive and representative political system that benefits all members of society, can be created and it called on stakeholders at all levels to work collaboratively to support women's leadership and ensure that women have an equal voice in shaping the future of our communities and nation.

The Advancing Women's Political Participation through Female Elected Candidates in the South West Nigeria project is a project funded by the German government, through Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen ifa, is implemented in Nigeria by Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI). 

The project aim to form strategic partnerships with other women's groups to collaborate on advocacy efforts and amplify the impact of initiatives, train a minimum of 100 women in campaign strategies, leadership skills, and political engagement over the project duration.

One of its objectives is also to have Women's increased willingness to run for political roles at the local and national levels, have formation of women's political empowerment networks, organize training programs for women on campaign strategies and leadership, and have collaborative efforts with other women's groups to amplify voices and have increased women's involvement in grassroots political activities.