If the just-concluded 2015 elections could be likened to a dramat 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 ‘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 that drove 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 “decided”… and decided they were on who became leaders in the next dispensation. And so, to the polling centres, each and everyone marched to cast their vote. And loud on the streets was “Change”.
The percentage of women that often register to vote in each election, according to the Gender in Nigeria (GIN) Report by British Council, is relatively small compared to the men. This year’s was no different. But some women in Ifako, a Lagos suburb, were undaunted by their number. However small, they were determined to make their votes count.
Why women vote
Mrs Ayeni, was part of that percentage of women, who registered and determined to make their votes count in 2015 elections. But what could have made these women leave their children at home very early on a sit-at-home holiday morning to queue up in 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 Ladipo, a businesswoman, who also did not want her first name in print, 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 scares of violence because of provocative statements by some. This trend, Mrs Badmus said, affected her business negatively. “I am happy the elections went well. Before the elections, people were also afraid because of past experiences of violence during elections. But in my area, a day before, people went about their business. However, market was dull because lots of people were uncertain and didn’t want to spend much. We pray that at the end of the day, the mandate would be given to the leaders that understand the need of the people,” she said.
Speaking to Mrs Badmus 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. In a joint agreement, the men and the INEC officials of Ward 004 on Mojisola Street in Ifako-Ijaye allowed women to be accredited and vote without having to join the long queue during the elections, it was learnt.
Describing the gesture as “strategic”, Mrs Badmus observed: “I did not spend more than 10 minutes during my accreditation. Our men understand 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, it showed that “Nigeria is moving forward”. “The work of women, mothers, is never done. The centre made it very easy for us, women. They eased our work a lot. As I came to the centre, I was told to go to the front of the line 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,” she said.
Big Show’s corner
Big Show as she is 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 eating spot, Tummy’s Corner, served as relief spot for voters, who arrived early to perform their civic duties. Although that is her usual spot on other days, with a polling booth about 10 metres away, the elections gave it a renewed relevance. She is 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, they also prospered in business.
Queuing up to vote under the scourging sun can be dehydrating and energy-sapping. Tummy’s Corner, specialising in boiled noodles, came as a relief from such hunger and thirst. 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. 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 chosen 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.
Words of experts
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), the report argues that “any discussion about Nigeria’s future must necessarily entail consideration of girls and women, the role they play and the barriers they face in making the future”. It suggests further that “a rethink is required with a two-pronged approach which should combine building the capacity of women candidates and reform of the general political environment (violence, corruption, registration conditions)”.
