If the just-concluded elections could be likened to a drama crafted by an invincible wordsmith, then the participants would be actors interpreting the ‘2015 election script’. In the many tales characterising the period, the role of womenfolk was grossly under-reported. Evelyn Osagie writes on the inputs of some women in Lagos in the making of the ‘2015 elections script’.
Children with toys in hand scampered everywhere as movement and business activities were halted. The middle of streets/roads became makeshift playgrounds for football and other sports. The pin-drop silence in certain areas was torn to shreds by the sirens of police vans driving pass at intervals. It was holiday like no other. It was the 2015 election.
The curtain may have fallen on yet another electoral process, but the many spectacles and side shows it paraded would be remembered by all.
As men thronged out to vote, the women were also prepared for the occasion. They came decked in different attires. There was no room for merrymaking. It was a day Nigerian women chose who became leaders in the next political dispensation. And so, to the polling centres, each and everyone marched to cast their votes. And loud on the streets was “Change”.
Voting percentage of women
The percentage of women participating in election whether as voters or as politicians are usually relatively small compared to the men, according to the Gender In Nigeria (GIN) Report by the British Council, Lagos.
This year’s was no different, but women rights activist Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin decried this trend, adding that: “In recent times the roles of women have been reduced drastically to just voting in elections.”
She said: “Although during the last elections, women voted massively in both the presidential and gubernatorial elections, generally, women’s participation in politics and electoral processes is still very poor in Nigeria. Although there are few increases here and there, compared to what we had in 1999, 2003 and 2007, there was a drop in 2011. And 2015 wasn’t that good too either.”
Odumakin, who is the President Women Arise for Change Initiative,named maginalisation as a key factor behind the drop. “Unfortunately women seemed not prepared enough for the 2015 elections, although there might be slight victories compared to the representations in 2011. The reasons for this forecast is simple, women are still faced with the numerous challenges that have contributed to their being marginalised from mainstream politics. Though there is a growing awareness and resolve by women to influence the decisions that affect their lives and their families, the political, economy, social environment and the structure of the nation still define women’s political participation and representation,” she said.
Why women vote
In the just-concluded elections, some women in Ifako, a Lagos suburb, were undaunted by the challenges they face and their small population. They were determined to make their votes count.
Mrs Ayeni was part of that percentage of women, who registered and were determined to make their votes count in 2015 elections. But what could have made her and other women leave their homes and children very early on a sit-at-home holiday morning to queue up at a voting centre?
“Change is the reason we, women, vote,” said Mrs Ayeni, a self-acclaimed women’s right advocate, who wanted her first name off the prints.
“The election,” she said, “gave us the power to choose our next leaders and call them to accountability. We want leaders, who can understand our needs as women and make laws that would help us harness our potentials. We are very talented and need leaders to brush us up and use our talents to the fullest.”
For Mrs Busola Ladipo, a businesswoman, 2015 election meant hope for her and her family. “Electing the right person would bring about change that would affect me and my family positively,” she said, adding: “We need a lot of changes in Nigeria. Election is not only a time to decide who would pilot the country, but the future of my children. That is why I have come out today to vote.”
Fears before elections and effects on business
Before the elections there were fears of violence because of provocative statements and hate messages by some politicians. This trend, Mrs Busola Ladipo said, affected her business negatively. “I am happy the elections went well. Before the elections, people were afraid because of past experiences of violence during elections. But in my area, a day before, people went about their businesses. However, market was dull because lots of people were uncertain and didn’t want to spend much,” she said.
Speaking to Mrs Ladipo after the elections, she said, she was elated that some of those she voted for emerged winners. “I think the card reader made the election more credible. We hope they will not disappoint us,” she remarked.
Centre where women received special treatment
Women’s participation in political processes, gender experts say, is of strategic importance, “not only for women’s empowerment, but because it has wider benefits and impacts”.
Dr Odumakin said: “Women in Nigeria played significant roles in the making of Nigeria’s democracy. During the pro-democracy struggle a good number of women, most especially, those in various higher institutions as at that time played active roles; they later graduated and worked closely with notable activists to achieve Nigeria’s democracy. They marched, protested and deployed their God-given talents and education to achieve what we have today.”
In a joint agreement and to increase the participation of women in the area, the men and INEC officials of Ward 004 on Mojisola Street in Ifako-Ijaye Lagos, allowed women to be accredited and vote without having to join the long queue during the elections.
Describing the gesture as “strategic”, Mrs Badmus, who also did not want her first name in print, observed: “I did not spend more than 10 minutes during my accreditation. Our men understood the importance of women in an election process and nation-building. Our role doesn’t only stop in making sure our families are properly taken care of, we must join hands to make our country better for our children’s sake.”
On Mrs Ayeni’s part, the move showed that “Nigeria is moving forward”. She said: “The work of women, mothers, is never done. The centre made it very easy for us. They eased our work a lot. As I came to the centre, I was told to go to the front that women have been given special privilege today to do their accreditation and vote. We are grateful to the men in this area for such initiative; the gesture encouraged lots of women to come out as you can see today. We were able to quickly return to children, and prepare food for our husbands, who may not be returning home until after the election in the evening. Others should learn from this example,” .
Business twist to civic duty
Big Show, as she is popularly known in the area, perhaps, because of her size, had a different story. Located in front of a light brown three-storey building, Big Show’s open-air eatery spot, Temmy’s Corner, served as relief spot for voters, who arrived early to perform their civic duties.
Queuing up to vote under the scourging sun can be dehydrating and energy-sapping. Temmy’s Corner, specialist in boiled noodles, was a big relief from hunger and thirst.
Although that was not her usual spot on normal days, she took advantage of the long wait involved in the process to make some quick money, saying: “I was moved by their plights and felt I should save the situation by providing them food.”
Her real name is Temilade Olasunkanmi. She has a dream of owning one of the biggest eateries in the country someday. Temilade was one of many business-savvy folks, especially women, who used the period to make some quick money. So, while the country gained a new government, she also joined others like her to exploit the situation.
Depending on each customer’s needs and for the right price, she provided quick noodle snack garnished with fried egg or boiled one.
But providing food for customers was not the only item on Big Show’s list that morning. “I have my PVC. I am also here to vote. I have already been accredited and would vote later. This is not my usual spot, I just felt that if nothing is done to help the situation, our people would be very hungry today. Some have left their homes – from far away Lekki – early to come here to vote and would not be returning until evening. That is why I chose to provide food,” she said.
One of her customers, Mr Yemi Fashiku, in his 30s, came from Lekki that morning to vote. He said: “Thank God for her O. I had registered here, but relocated to Lekki. So, by 6am I left Lekki to come here to vote. The men in this area believe women have a great role to play in election. I praise INEC for the card readers. It is better, safer, easier and gives no room for rigging. But in the future INEC should ensure that no matter where we register, we can vote anywhere in the country as long as we have our PVCs.”
“Big Show is helping to provide for the community. My sister, where would we have gone to find food today? And a lot of us came from very far away. I have come from Obawole far away since morning. Now, it is about noon. In fact, she should be praised for helping the election process go smoothly,” Sunday Anibire said.
This reporter was unable to engage women from other polling centres in the area because her election monitoring programme was cut short due to a police arrest.
Gender friendly environment needed
The elections have ended with a record of progresses made since 2011. However, experts say, more needs to be done by INEC and the government to increase the percentage of women registering to vote. They advised that the newly elected administration should pay attention to the assertions of the GIN report. Although published in 2012, they say, it remains apt and valid to achieving gender parity in all spheres of the nationhood.
With 49 per cent of Nigeria’s population as female (about 80.2 million girls and women), Dr Odumakin argued that any discussion about Nigeria’s future must entail consideration of girls and women, the role they play and the barriers they face. While the GIN report suggests that “a rethink is required with a two-pronged approach, which should combine building the capacity of women’s candidates and reform of the general political environment (violence, corruption, registration conditions”, Odumakin insisted that “the National Gender Policy remains the only persuasive document that can translate into a good negotiating instrument for concession for women”.
Odumakin added: “Women in political parties must negotiate gender parity through the party system as a temporary measure. Women activists in Nigeria can mobilise around the policy, create awareness particularly, regarding the provisions relating to 35 per cent affirmative action and through this demand electoral accountability from political parties. Women activists and women politicians should explore the opportunities created by some gender friendly provisions in political parties’ manifestoes and constitutions to demand accountability for women.
“There is need for a proactive identification and recruitment of women members with political potential for future elections. Another door of opportunity is for women activists to engage INEC. Besides campaigns for balanced gender representation in political decision-making positions, an integral part of the core of strategies for women’s political participation is building women’s agenda for change.”
