The 11th of October 2018 the world over, was to mark the International day of the girl child. A day dedicated to creating awareness on issues facing girls internationally, such as education, nutrition, child marriage, legal and medical rights.

The issues of inequality faced by the girl child cannot be ignored therefore AWLO marked the International day of the girl child by aligning with other organizations to initiate a campaign that is geared towards increasing the representation of women in leadership.

The #NoWomanNoVote Campaign led by Senator Florence Ita-Giwa in partnership with the African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) is to ignite women’s participation in politics. The Campaign is targeted at; creating awareness and mobilization of citizens to vote-in credible and viable women in subsequent elections, checkmating the gross exploitation of Women before, during and after Campaigns by Political Systems, To Provide a Support system in terms of Education, Funding and Mobilization to Women Who are Contesting for Elective Positions and involve young ladies in the electoral process.

According to INEC, although women constitute 49 per cent of Nigeria’s voting population, the national average in female representation is 6.7 per cent.

In 2015, eight female Senators, 20 House of Representatives members and six female Deputy Governors who had joint tickets with male gubernatorial candidates were elected.

Nigeria’s national average of 6.7 per cent in female representation was in contrast to the global average of 22.5 per cent in 2018. Global statistics for gender parity indicate that in 2015, out of 188 countries, Nigeria was 152nd in the Human Development Index on Gender Inequality and 118th of 192 countries in 2017.

At a press Briefing held for the #Nowomannovote Campaign to mark the International day of the Girl Child, the stakeholders further revealed plans for the campaign. Plans to initiate awareness activities in various zones of the country, sensitization workshops on electoral processes for women, Dialogue with Political stakeholders at the grassroot level, and youth involvement.

In attendance at the #Nowomannovote Press Conference were Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, African Women in Leadership Organization represented by the Dean of Coordinators; Mrs. Maureen Omeibe and other women and grass root organizations.

Also in attendance were, Dr Chinyere C Okpe; Director of National Crisis Control Foundation, Chief Mrs. Scholastica Ezuma (JP), Chief Mrs Ada Ame; Founder and Global Convener Adorable Women International Foundation, Mrs Regina Chris Ogbodo; Head Nigerian Women in Media Lagos Chapter and other women Leaders.

The day of the girl child is of utmost importance because it is a day the world should evaluate the progress towards making a safe and progressive environment for the girl child. Here is to kickstarting a conversation to involve women in leadership and foster a thriving environment for women to emerge as political leaders. This is what the #NoWomanNoVote Campaign intends to achieve, and in the coming weeks more plans will unfold.

Here are official photos from the #Nowomannovote Press Conference: