2023: Forum Applauds Election Of Women Lawmakers

A group, Southern Women’s Forum (SWF) has congratulated all women that won legislative seats in the just concluded national and state assembly elections.

Southern Women’s Forum is a regional and non-partisan platform promoting and advancing the cause of political participation of Southern Women in Nigeria.

In a press statement signed by the secretary of the forum, Maryam Rahim, a copy made available to LEADERSHIP, SWF decried the continued low number of women in the National Assembly.

The group, however, said it would continue to demand and hold leaders accountable in ensuring that southern women’s representation is made a priority.

According to the statement, “SWF congratulates all women who won their legislative seats in the 2023 General Elections. We commend Nigerian Women for their resilience in seeking more relevance and inclusion in the political space dominated overwhelmingly by men. The Forum decries the continued low number of women in the National Assembly. We admonish all elected female legislators to represent their constituents and Nigerian women at large.

‘‘We continue to witness a decline in women’s political representation. It is pertinent that we have more women at all governmental levels via appointive, executive and legislative roles. As we support women’s ambition in seeking office irrespective of religion, tribe, and political affiliation, we will continue to demand and hold leaders accountable in ensuring that southern women’s representation is made a priority.’’

The group also condemned electoral violence, voters’ suppression during the last election. ‘‘We strongly condemn all forms of electoral violence and voter suppression carried out around the nation during the 2023 General Elections. Southern Women’s Forum is neither a political party nor a religious group, and it welcomes women across all strata of society to embrace its vision,’’ the statement read.