With the 2023 general elections in already around the corner, the number of women involved in politics and governance still appears to be a far cry from a balanced society in Nigeria.

A recent statistics of women in politics published by BellaNaija on the 1st of February 2023 revealed that of the 991 people in the State House of Assembly in Nigeria, 44 are women, positioning women’s participation in politics at 6%.

Here in Rivers State, the Independent Electoral Commission, (INEC) revealed that there is a slight increase in Women participation in this 2023 general elections in the State.

Head of Gender Relations, INEC, Rivers State, Beauty Ibiama explained that 85 women are contesting as candidates for; Governorship-1, Deputy Governorship-6, Senate-5, House of Representatives-18, State House of Assembly-55, making it a total of 85.

With this figures, some gender activists believes Women representation in politics and governance in the state still falls short of the goal set by the National Gender Policy in 2006, which demands 35% of women involvement in all governance processes.

The Executive Director, Arise For Gender and Livelihood Initiative ALIVE, Debby Effiong asked of view of this shortfall, said it was unfortunate that women had been relegated to welfare officers, sharing snacks and water during campaigns.

She decried the underrepresentation and marginalization of women saying that it was time for women to change the ugly narrative.

“It is sad that women have been wrongly sensitized that the only way to be in politics is to be by the sideline cheering the men. Women have been wrongly sensitized to wear uniforms, act as welfare officers and share meat-pies and water.

“Till today we are still struggling: we don’t have women heading political parties or secretaries of political parties. Women who managed to come out as Presidential candidates don’t believe that they can win. Some women have sold out their rights/roles because of money. A whole needs to be done in terms of sensitization,” she said.

While many hailed the Rivers State Governor, Nyesome Wike’s gender sensitive style of female placement as the Local Government Deputies in the 23 LGAs, many of the beneficiaries are subjected to inglorious experiences as second fiddles.

Some of them, who spoke with Kristina Reports on condition of anonymity, said they are not being carried along in governance by their respective Chairmen and Bosses.

“They just bought personal cars for some of us, and it ends there. It’s their political Associates that represent them in events, instead of us as Vice Chair.” One of them said.

“Most of us are not even officially invited to events that concern the Local Government where we are supposed to be serving. Even if we attend on our own, we are ignored during the event, we are not recognized.” Another lamented.

“Only when it comes to mobilizing women to gather and fill events that I’m remembered as a Local Government Vice Chair here. I don’t even understand again whether it’s part of our responsibility as Vice Chairs to gather women with uniforms and cheer the men, responding to their chants of “women oyee.” She decried.

But the Executive Director of the Gender and Development Action, Nyengi Irimagha believes that Governor Wike’s self styled policy to have women occupy the Vice Chair position at the Local Government levels is commendable and very a important forward-march in the journey to increasing the number of women involved in active politics in the state.

“The fact that they are occupying that position is very important. Their representation on that position is key. This will increase the amount of women active participation in politics in the state.

“They may not be active now, but will be active later, look at Bonny, a woman is the Council Chairman and she is doing well. That’s why we are advocating that they give women more active roles at the Political Party levels, even outside the grassroots level.”

With the goal set by the National Gender Policy in 2006, demanding that 35% of women be involved in all governance processes looking unattainable, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State Chapter, has however raised hope that Rivers State will top the chart in achieving the goals set by the National Gender Policy of 35percent of women involved in all governance processes.

The Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Rivers State Chapter, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana said NAWOJ will continue to be at the fore-front with other sister organizations, supporting and encouraging women to boldly participate in politics.

She said “with the slight increase of the number of women involved in the 2023 general elections and the state governor’s personal gender policy, more women will realize the great role they play in the society and be more involved in active politics and governance in Rivers State”.

“We have been on different media platforms organizing programs to encourage women to participate in healthy politics, and we will not relent in this efforts. We urge women to come out during the forth-coming election and vote wisely and desist from selling their votes for measly fee.” She stated.