L. Pooja Bhayro’s Post

Women’s representation in Nigerian politics remains notably low compared to global averages. Despite progress in some areas, the landscape remains heavily skewed, with significant barriers preventing women from access and succeeding in political roles. These barriers, deeply embedded within Nigeria’s socio-cultural, economic, and political frameworks, reflect long-standing challenges that hinder gender equality and prevent an inclusive governance system. This article examines these barriers and proposes strategies to enhance women’s participation in Nigerian politics.

If you follow AAUW CEO Gloria Blackwell's social media, you know that AAUW is participating in the meeting of the 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women that started on Monday and continues through March 22. The meeting got off to an uncomfortable start when the first five speakers were all male. Apparently one of the men was a substitute for a woman with a family emergency, but it was awkward nonetheless. The priority theme for this year's meeting is “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”. Opening speakers all spoke about the plight of women and girls caught in conflict situations throughout the world, especially Gaza. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres noted last week that achieving legal gender equality worldwide could take 300 years, and he cited two worrying trends when he spoke at the opening CSW68 session on Tuesday: Patriarchy is regaining ground as autocrats and populists attack women’s freedoms and their sexual and reproductive rights, and men's domination of digital technologies and artificial intelligence is leaving women’s needs and rights ignored. Sima Bahous, the executive director of UN Women, told the commission that a backlash against gender equality is rising “with a ferocity and anger that is unfamiliar to many of us,” she said. “Peace feels painfully distant, war painfully prevalent, suffering painfully ubiquitous.” If verbal commitments to equality were matched by funding in budgets, “more than 100 million women and girls could be lifted out of poverty,” she said. She added that closing gender gaps in employment could boost gross domestic product per capita by 20%. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eMgprEmk #csw68 #GenderJustice #genderequality

Did you know that Denmark ranks at the top for gender equality? According to the UN's Gender Inequality Index, Denmark boasts impressive strides in women's rights, with a GII score of 0.013. What sets Denmark apart? With a maternal mortality rate of four per 100,000 live births and 39.7% of parliamentary seats held by women, it's clear that Denmark prioritizes gender parity. And with 95.1% of women aged 25+ receiving secondary education and a robust 57.7% labor force participation rate, Danish women are empowered across various spheres. Notably, Denmark made history with the appointment of the world's first female minister in 1924 and continues to lead with its female Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, in office today. Despite strides towards progress, systemic barriers in the U.S. still persist. Our country faces challenges such as disparities in healthcare access and education, as well as persistent gender biases in political representation and the workforce. While Denmark's achievements serve as an inspiration, they also underscore the need for continued efforts to overcome obstacles and advance gender equality on a global scale. #GenderEquality #GenderEquity

CSW68 - Plenary Minister Scotty delivered the national statement for the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). "Nauru believes that strengthening institutions and mainstreaming gender is critical for ensuring that there is women participation in political processes, while also ensuring that laws and policies are gender-responsive. Incorporating a gender perspective in financing is another key strategy for advancing gender equality in Nauru. The work has begun to ensure that budget allocations and resource allocations consider the differential impact of policies and programs on women and men. By investing in gender-responsive programs and services, such as healthcare, education, and social protection, we intend to address the specific needs and priorities of women and girls, ultimately leading to more equitable outcomes for all. Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in Nauru requires a comprehensive approach that addresses poverty, strengthens institutions, and incorporates a gender perspective in financing. By prioritizing gender equality in policy-making, resource allocation, and institutional practices, Nauru is working tirelessly to create a more equitable and inclusive society where women and girls have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to sustainable development. I stress the importance of ensuring that we translate political will into equitable legislation so that we leave a legacy that can continue instead of being stalled and having to reset and begin all over again. Nauru will be hosting the 2nd Micronesian Minister for Women’s Conference in April 2024 in which the theme is  “Eὀ Ngage - Eὁ Yaran - Ᾱṅ Towepo: Generational Equity” The theme translated means “Not today, not tomorrow but together”. The theme speaks of the intention of all us to fight for generational equity and to carve out spaces where we as women can feel empowered, seen and above all working together no matter the obstacles. The theme is symbolic of the resilience of our region who have overcome much adversity and yet stand to gain much more in solidarity and as individual nations." #CSW68 #Nauru

The rise in women's representation in Sub-Saharan African parliaments, as reported by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, marks a significant step forward for gender equality in the region. The 3.9 percentage point increase in the women elected to parliament reflects progress towards more inclusive political systems. This development not only demonstrates a commitment to addressing gender disparities but also acknowledges the invaluable contributions women make to governance and decision-making processes. Nigeria is an outlier. It is experiencing declining percentages in women’s representation. Understanding the root causes of this problem is key to finding viable solutions that redeem the country from poor performance and the reputational damage of being averse to gender equity as well as equality in politics. #GenderEquality #WomenInPolitics #SubSaharanAfrica #IPU #PoliticalRepresentation #genderequity #Africanwomen #Nigeria #goodgovernance https://lnkd.in/gX5C6H_k

The historical record of gender disparities in politics underscores a pressing need for transformative change. Cultural stereotypes and patriarchal structures still sideline women in Africa and beyond. The clamor for equality reflects a collective determination to challenge ingrained norms, recognizing that true progress requires breaking free from the chains of discrimination and marginalization. #WomenInPolitics #GenderEquality #InclusiveGovernance #SustainableDevelopment #InternationalWomensDay #BreakTheBias https://lnkd.in/e3WkJrGE

🌟 Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024: Progress and Challenges for Future Female Leaders 🌟 As we, at ESCP’s Women in Leadership Society, reflect on the latest UN Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, we see a blend of inspiring progress and significant challenges in achieving gender equality. Here’s a snapshot of thought-provoking highlights that sparked our interest: There are still many challenges ahead! Political Representation: Only six countries have reached 50% or more women in national parliaments – gender quotas remain essential for progress. Managerial Parity: Women still occupy only 27.5% of managerial positions globally → At the current rate, achieving parity will take 176 years – a timeline demanding urgent attention! Reproductive Rights: Despite improvements, women’s empowerment in sexual and reproductive health decisions remains restricted in many global regions. Let’s also talk about the good news! Political Participation: Women now occupy 26.9% of seats in national parliaments globally. Gender quotas have been instrumental in boosting local government representation. Managerial Positions: Women hold 40% of global employment, and Sub-Saharan Africa has made significant strides with 38% female managers in 2022. This demonstrates that progress is achievable. 🌍 Any thoughts? We would love to hear from you in the comments below! ⬇ via UN Women and United Nations 🕊 The full report is here: https://lnkd.in/dgJKB8Mf #GenderEquality #SDGs #WomenInLeadership #FutureLeaders

In my latest commentary, I analyze the regressing gender representation in Nepal's politics. Once celebrated for its progressive strides towards gender equality in politics, Nepal is now witnessing a troubling regression. Despite constitutional guarantees, the representation of women in key political positions is declining, exposing the persistent grip of patriarchal norms and the superficial commitment of political parties to genuine gender inclusivity. #Gender representation# #Politics# #Nepal#

1993 was the last time and only time Canada was lead by a woman. Looking at the countries that are advancing gender equality no surprise the Nordic countries lead the way and countries like Rwanda that saw some of the world’s worst acts on humans, they have learned from history. None of these countries are at war, they are placing priorities and budgets where it matters and creating a more equal and happier society. We need a diffent way to be on this planet, perhaps following these countries might be the solution.

Despite ongoing global disparities in gender equality, some African countries are making progress in empowering women in government. In commemoration of International Women’s Day, Business Insider looked at African countries with the highest number of women in government. Based on data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Rwanda leads the world with 61.3% of parliamentary seats held by women, followed by Senegal, South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique. These rankings show the growth towards gender equality in African politics, and it’s imperative to recognize and support the efforts of these countries in promoting gender diversity in government to encourage further growth. Having more women in parliament is crucial for addressing societal issues like childcare, maternal health, and equal pay. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/gg4AytWF #BusinessInsider #InternationalWomensDay #IWD #Rwanda #Senegal #GenderEquality #MaternalHealth #EqualPay