Ogun Commissioner advocates for more women representation in political leadership

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Ogun State, Motunrayo Adeleye, has emphasised that the advancement of women in politics is no longer optional but a national necessity for inclusive governance and sustainable development.

Adeleye called for increased support for the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to enhance women’s representation in political leadership across Nigeria.

She spoke on Tuesday at the Town Hall Meeting on Advancing Women’s Inclusion and Representation in Leadership and Political Processes in Nigeria, organised by the League of Women Voters of Nigeria at the Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.

The commissioner further advocated for strong grassroots mobilisation, stressing the need to take the campaign beyond the elite class.

She also noted that the proposed ‘Gender Bill’ would provide a well-structured access point for women into legislative offices, thus correcting decades of gender imbalance.

Adeleye reaffirmed the commitment of the state government, especially through the Ministry of Women Affairs, to push for gender-responsive policies while continuing to partner with critical stakeholders, including CSOs, royal institutions, and faith-based organisations, to drive a collective shift in attitude and institutional support for women’s leadership.

Earlier, the state Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who delivered the keynote address, described the Gender Bill as a “bold and necessary step” to correct the historic underrepresentation of women in politics.

Salako-Oyedele revealed that the bill proposes 74 additional legislative seats in the National Assembly and 108 in state Houses of Assembly, exclusively for women.

According to her, the initiative, when passed, would be a major tool for unlocking the full benefits of women’s political participation.