Wife of the Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Ms. Funmi Falana has said that women do not have many leadership opportunities in the country’s political space.
Falana described the trend as discrimination that must be reversed after the 2023 general elections and further postulated that it will allow them to use their potential to develop society.
The legal professional therefore urged the major political parties to ensure strict compliance with the 35 per cent designated posts for women in politics.
He said this yesterday after holding his annual Christmas party with children from the Erelu Angela Adebayo Children’s Home in Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Linking the low participation of women in politics to the non-actualization of the 35 percent affirmative action for the representation of women in positions of authority, she said: “This is one of the discriminations against women that we have been defending.
“Even when women go out to contest elections, they get few or no votes because they believe their place is in the kitchen, but that era is long gone, women can even perform better than men in any position of authority, even in non-political posts. ”
Falana, who admitted that the way politics is played in the country discourages women, further said: “Most of their meetings are held at night like nocturnal animals and responsible women are supposed to be with their families at that time.
“The inability of women to attend such late-night political meetings ensures that decisions are made behind them and is part of the reason why they are not active in politics and I think politicians should look into this.
“The Constitution specifically says that no one will be discriminated against based on sex. So anything that places women at a disadvantage is unconstitutional and is null and void.”
He further said: “The court held that the failure of women to receive adequate representation in government is a violation of their rights under the Nigerian Constitution.”
She joined several other eminent people who are calling for positive change that will give women equal opportunity and consideration with their male counterparts in political appointments before the next democratic dispensation.
