A Commitment to Gender Equality
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender equality and enhancing women’s participation in Nigeria’s electoral process. In a statement released on International Women’s Day 2025, INEC emphasized the importance of women’s inclusion in strengthening democracy and governance.
Progress Within INEC
The statement, signed by Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity, highlighted the strides INEC has made in advancing gender equality within its ranks. Key achievements include:
Two female National Commissioners.
A female Secretary of the Commission.
Four female Resident Electoral Commissioners out of 37.
12 female Administrative Secretaries, representing 32.4% of leadership roles.
42.3% female representation among INEC’s 26 directors.
These milestones demonstrate INEC’s efforts to ensure women’s representation in decision-making roles.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Despite these achievements, INEC acknowledged that gender equality remains a work in progress. Mrs. Eta-Messi emphasized the need to address barriers such as societal expectations, lack of support systems, and gender-based violence.
“The Commission is committed to ensuring equal representation at all levels of the electoral process,” she stated. “We are actively working on policies that will encourage greater participation of women—whether as candidates, voters, election administrators, or party representatives.”
Aligning with International Women’s Day Theme
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action,” resonates with INEC’s mission to fast-track gender equality in Nigeria’s electoral system. Mrs. Eta-Messi stressed that achieving gender balance is not just about fairness but is essential for building a more inclusive and responsive democracy.
“A gender-balanced leadership, where women are equally represented in decision-making, creates more inclusive and responsive governance,” she said.
A Call to Action
INEC concluded its statement with a powerful call to action, urging all Nigerians to support gender equality in the electoral process and beyond. “When women are empowered to take leadership roles and given equal opportunities, our democracy will thrive. Governance will be more inclusive, and Nigeria’s future will be brighter for all.”
The Commission also called on men and women to work together to dismantle societal and structural barriers limiting women’s participation.
Why This Matters
INEC’s commitment to gender equality reflects a growing recognition of the critical role women play in shaping Nigeria’s democracy. By promoting women’s participation in the electoral process, INEC aims to create a more inclusive and representative governance system.
What’s Next?
As INEC continues to implement policies to support gender equality, stakeholders will be watching to see how these efforts translate into tangible outcomes, such as increased female representation in elected offices and leadership roles.
