National Women Leaders Forum Seeks Strategic Collaboration with UN Women for Inclusive Democracy in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria – June 18, 2025 – The National Women Leaders Forum of Political Parties in Nigeria (NWL Forum), led by its President, Mrs. Amina Darasimi, paid a courtesy visit to the UN Women Country Office in Abuja as part of ongoing efforts to foster gender-inclusive governance and deepen democracy in the country.

The UN Women team warmly received the delegation in the absence of the Country Representative, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, who was unavoidably absent. Representing her was the National Programme Officer, Mrs. Patience Ekeoba, alongside other team members.

Discussions during the high-level meeting centered on exploring areas of collaboration between UN Women and the NWL Forum in promoting women’s political participation, leadership, and representation across all levels of governance in Nigeria.

Mrs. Ekeoba welcomed the NWL Forum on behalf of UN Women and briefed the delegation on the organization’s strategic interventions across the country, emphasizing the importance of working with political actors to achieve gender equity. She expressed delight at the visit, recognizing the pivotal role played by the NWL Forum in national politics.

In her remarks, Mrs. Amina Darasimi, President of the NWL Forum, expressed appreciation for the reception and highlighted the purpose of the visit. She read the forum’s position paper, describing the NWL Forum as an umbrella body for the National Women Leaders of all registered political parties in Nigeria. Their mission, she emphasized, is to advocate for inclusive democracy and ensure more women are represented in decision-making structures of political parties and elected offices.

Mrs. Darasimi underscored the strategic role of the National Working Committees of political parties—where decisions are initiated and executed—and emphasized that no individual can contest an election without passing through a political party. She reiterated that the Forum is committed to using their positions to support and safeguard the interests of women aspiring for political office.

She called on UN Women and other like-minded organizations for partnerships in key areas such as advocacy, capacity building, women empowerment, and technical assistance. She praised UN Women for its consistent support in advancing gender equality and inclusive governance, both in Nigeria and globally, and assured the agency of the Forum’s readiness to support future initiatives within the boundaries of national law.

In response, Mrs. Ekeoba described the visit as timely, especially in the context of ongoing efforts to amend Nigeria’s constitution to include reserved seats for women in parliament. She stated that the support and advocacy of the NWL Forum, both individually within their political parties and collectively as an organization, could significantly contribute to the success of this legislative effort.

She assured the Forum that the Country Director would review their position paper and provide a formal response in due course.

Signed:
Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
National Women Leaders Forum of Political Parties in Nigeria

Published by: Sarah Shafa