Strengthening Support for Nigerian Women in Leadership: NiDCOM…

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, calls for targeted support for Nigerian women in politics amidst declining representation. She cites financial, cultural, and security barriers, urging political parties to reserve seats for women. Additionally, she addresses issues surrounding trafficking and the crucial role of the diaspora in national development, advocating for a systematic approach to these challenges.

The Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has advocated for enhanced support for Nigerian women in politics and leadership roles. In an exclusive interview, she highlighted the need for a level playing field, as the number of women in elected positions has significantly declined due to various challenges.

Dabiri-Erewa lamented the drop in female representation within Nigeria’s National Assembly, noting a decline from 27 female lawmakers during her tenure to just nine in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate. She emphasized that political parties must intentionally support qualified women to elevate their representation.

She also expressed concerns over the increasingly expensive and perilous election process, which poses significant barriers to women. “Money is a major problem, and the process is becoming more violent. If political parties commit to reserving certain seats for qualified women, we will see positive change,” she remarked.

Beyond financial issues and security risks, cultural biases further inhibit women’s participation in leadership. Dabiri-Erewa shared examples where societal norms dissuaded women from entering political roles, stating, “These outdated beliefs must change.”

She encouraged women to be proactive and confident, asserting that increased female representation could enhance governance. “We need to show competence and prove that having women in leadership improves governance,” she stated, while also acknowledging the importance of balancing career ambitions with family responsibilities.

Dabiri-Erewa highlighted NiDCOM’s significant achievements in fostering connections between Nigerians abroad and their homeland, noting, “We have put diaspora issues on the front burner.” Initiatives such as Diaspora Day and the Diaspora Investment Summit have contributed to increasing engagement across various sectors.

The economic impact of remittances from the diaspora exceeds $90 billion, and she expressed the need for diaspora Nigerians to become a crucial investment force. Plans are underway to develop a comprehensive data portal to better engage with Nigerians abroad.

She raised concerns regarding the trafficking of Nigerian women to countries like Iraq and Libya, revealing that many are stranded under dire conditions. “We receive distress calls daily from these women,” she stated, calling for stricter actions against traffickers.

Dabiri-Erewa underscored that migration must not be criminalized, as many Nigerians seek better opportunities and deserve respectful treatment regardless of their circumstances. She maintains an optimistic outlook regarding women’s future in leadership and the diaspora’s role in national development.

Dabiri-Erewa emphasized the necessity for concerted efforts to eliminate systemic barriers preventing women from participating in governance and to ensure the protection of Nigerians from exploitation.

In summary, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has underscored the critical need for intentional support and structural changes to enhance the representation of Nigerian women in politics. She highlighted the ongoing challenges of financial constraints, cultural biases, and security risks, all of which hinder women’s political participation. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of the diaspora community in national development while urging action against human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable citizens.

Original Source: businessday.ng