By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti
The Rt. Hon Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly Adeoye Aribasoye has called on men to empower women to participate more in politics.
Aribasoye made this appeal in a Keynote Address at the “HeForShe” Conference titled: “Accelerate Action, Building Alliances: Men as Allies in Advancing Women’s Political Participation”
Aribasoye made this appeal in a one day conference organised by Balm In Gilead Foundation For Sustainable Development(BIGIF) held in Ado Ekiti the Ekiti state capital on 5th March 2025 at the All Saints Guest House.
The speaker who was the Special guest of honour and a key note speaker said the initiative stands as a beacon for gender equality by actively engaging men and boys as catalysts for change in the society.
He maintained that the role of Men in Advancing Women Political Participation resonates deeply, especially in Ekiti State where women maintain a high percentage in elective and appointed positions.
“we aspire to lead by example in fostering inclusive and equitable governance we gather not merely to discuss gender equality, but to commit to tangible, transformative action.
We recognize that true progress cannot be achieved by women alone; it requires the active, conscious, and sustained engagement of men as allies and partners. We must dismantle the deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that continue to impede women’s full participation in the political sphere”
The Ekiti Assembly Speaker while delivering his text address was of the opinion that women’s political representation remains alarmingly low and that following the 2023 elections, women occupy a mere 3% of Senate seats and 4% in the House of Representatives.
“This stark underrepresentation not only undermines the principles of democracy but also impedes the nation’s socio-economic development. When women are excluded from decision-making, we lose the invaluable perspectives, experiences, and insights they bring to the table for drafting policies that truly serve the needs of our communities”
The speaker while highlighting the challenges faced by women in politics also suggested ways it can be eradicated these include: Intra Party gender friendly and equality procedures, Review of gender framework,Media sensitization and Gender education as part of the basic curriculum in schools.
“A cornerstone of advancing women’s political participation lies in robust legislation. As legislators, we hold a unique responsibility to craft laws that promote gender equality, protect women’s rights, and ensure their representation in government. Legislation serves as a powerful tool to dismantle systemic barriers; it provides the frameworks needed to enforce equality and accountability. By enacting gender-sensitive policies and laws, we can create an environment where women are empowered to seek leadership roles and contribute to decision-making processes.”
He concluded that Ekiti State, under the able and dynamic leadership of Governor Abayomi Oyebanji the state has recorded giant strides even though he agrees that more needs to be done to improve on the number of women in active politics.
Earlier, Mr. Nelson Akerele on behalf of BIGIF commended the state Governor for his continued support for women in politics while encouraging stakeholders to continue to encourage women into participating in active politics.
The Conference had in attendance Honorable members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly who came with the Speaker, National Orientation Agency,IPAC, FIDA, and Religious organisations.
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