A group known as ‘The Spring of Hope for the Girl Child Development Initiative’ (SHoGDI) has decried the involvement of women in the recent local government elections in Benue State.
Expressing her disappointment, the Executive Director, of the group, Mimidoo Uhundu, emphasized the need for greater inclusivity in political representation.
She described the absence of women in the leadership of the third tier of government in the state as a setback for gender equality efforts in the state.
Uhundu who acknowledged the value of appointments, stressed that more women should be given opportunities to compete in elections for leadership positions.
She said, “Political parties must actively promote gender inclusion in their nominations to provide voters the chance to elect women into office.”
She emphasised that the road to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) requires not just appointments but also active participation of women in elective roles.
A vocal advocate for gender equity, Uhundu—also an entrepreneur and former beauty queen—urged for a collective effort to empower women to run for office and make political spaces more accessible to them.
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