Political Inclusion
Political inclusion of women in Nigeria is a matter of legitimacy and stability. With over 250 ethnic groups and sharp religious and regional divides, a political system concentrated in a narrow gender and regional group will always face legitimacy challenges and excluded groups will see the state as not theirs. This is one of the drivers behind recurring secessionist movements and communal violence. Including women in political conversations brings in different networks, information, and approaches that the current political class simply does not have.
About
Any system that excludes large groups eventually produces policies that don’t reflect reality, and that is unstable. Women make up approximately 60% of Nigeria’s population, yet hold under 7% of elected offices. Women Political Inclusion works to change this, bringing women into political spaces not just as voters but as candidates, legislators, and decision-makers whose lived experience, networks, and problem-solving approaches strengthen the system for everyone.
Our Impacts
Through this program, women are entering political spaces that have long excluded them, and the results are measurable. Policies on employment, digital economy, and education are beginning to reflect the constraints women actually face. Where women participate in political processes, communities report stronger trust in governance and more responsive policy outcomes. Every woman who enters political leadership carries with her the experience of half the population that has historically gone unrepresented.
Our Goals
- Increase women’s representation in elected and appointed political offices at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Support women candidates with training, mentorship, and networks needed to enter and succeed in political spaces.
- Advocate for electoral reforms that lower structural barriers to women’s political participation.
- Ensure policies on employment, education, and the digital economy reflect the realities women face firsthand.
- Strengthen governance legitimacy and community stability by bringing excluded voices into political decision-making.
