With a powerful speech, President Irene Awunah-Ikyegh rallied members of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) to champion gender-sensitive governance as an essential element of Nigeria’s democracy, underscoring the critical role women must play in shaping the country’s democratic future.

In a release, Awunah-Ikyegh challenged the status quo, urging NILOWV members to shatter gender stereotypes and promote women’s empowerment in the political arena, calling for an inclusive democracy where every citizen has an equal opportunity to shape the future of the country.

She cited examples of gender gaps in governance, from unequal representation in decision-making positions to discriminatory policies that disadvantaged women, and underscored the need for collective action to address these gaps.

“Dear esteemed members of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV)

today, June 12th, we celebrate Nigeria’s Democracy Day, a day that symbolizes our country’s journey towards democratic governance. As we mark this day, we reflect on the progress made so far and the challenges that lie ahead. As defenders of democracy, we must recommit ourselves to promoting an inclusive democracy where every citizen has a voice and equal opportunities to participate.

As members of NILOWV, we have a critical role to play in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future. Our organization is built on the principles of promoting women’s political participation, advocating for gender-sensitive policies, and supporting women’s empowerment. We must step up our efforts to ensure that women are voted into leadership positions, challenge gender stereotypes, and promote inclusive decision”