Chairman, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSTIF, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, has attributed the low participation of women in politics to the prevailing social and economic condition in the country,  as well as the existing political structures.

These hindrances, she said, must give way for the African woman to realise her full potentials and contribute meaningfully to nation building and democratic governance.
“The absence of the African women from political decision making has a negative impact on the entire process of democratisation, as it undermines the fundamental concept of a democratic form of governance,” she said.

Olejeme spoke on the role of African women in promoting development in democratic governance at an interface between the Peoples Democratic Institute and the International community in Abuja.

Olejeme said that the place of the African woman in systemic development has not been properly captured and  remains unappreciated because of primordial perceptions about her, adding that “women involvement in the democratic process is essential to broadening and deepening the commitment of the societies to democratic governance.

“The African woman has been a major target of extreme forms of violence in the region. Women in the horn of Africa have experienced the full impact of violent conflicts as civilians and combatants. But the truth remains that they are usually excluded from the decision making processes that ignite wars or put an end to hostilities.”
She urged the women to go beyond asking for 35 percent participation.

“African women have proved over the years that they can be trusted as they have delivered in several areas they had occupied in government. The persistent exclusion of women from formal politics raises a number of specific questions regarding the achievement of broad-based democratic transformation,” she added.