The Kwara State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Barrister Jumoke Olaoye, has expressed strong support for increased women’s participation in politics, describing it as both a legal right and a necessary step toward inclusive governance.
She spoke to the media after the launch of the “From Margins to Mainstream: Empowering Women for Political Participation in Nigeria” project by the Women Environment and Youth Development Initiative (WOYODEV), on Tuesday in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Olaoye described the initiative as a landmark moment for women in Kwara State and across Nigeria, adding that more women should be at the helms of affairs in Kwara.
She noted that the law fully supports women’s involvement in politics, emphasising the principle of equal rights, particularly the right to vote and be voted for.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of WOYODEV, Tosin Apiriola-Ajayi, who officially unveiled the project, explained that the initiative seeks to break down sociocultural barriers that have historically limited women’s political participation.
The project, supported by UN Women and funded by the European Union, aims to build strong feminist movements and partnerships that empower women with the tools to lead.
The project is currently being implemented in Kwara, Lagos, and Enugu States, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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