By Nkechi Eze
The Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) and The Electoral Hub have raised serious concerns over the growing violence, discrimination, and systemic barriers confronting women in politics, warning that Nigeria’s democracy risks being weakened if urgent measures are not taken to guarantee the safety and inclusion of women in the political process ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
According to an official signed statement by Princess Hamman-Obels, Director of IRIAD-The Electoral Hub, issued to commemorate the 10 Days of Activism Against Violence Against Women in Politics (VAWP) under the theme, “Safe Voices, Strong Democracy,” the organizations joined democratic institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, women’s rights advocates, and concerned citizens across Nigeria and the world in calling attention to the dangers posed by violence against women in politics.
The statement described the annual observance as a reminder that democracy cannot flourish where violence, intimidation, and fear determine who participates in politics and represents citizens in governance. It stressed that a truly democratic society is one where every citizen can freely express views, contest for public office, and contribute to governance without fear of violence, whether online or offline.
The organizations emphasized that safe voices remain the foundation of democratic participation and that a strong democracy depends on the full and equal inclusion of women in political processes.
As preparations intensify for the 2027 General Elections following the conclusion of party primaries and the commencement of broader electoral activities, IRIAD and The Electoral Hub said they were compelled to draw national attention to the persistent and growing violence faced by women aspiring to political leadership and public office.
The statement noted that many women aspirants experienced various forms of violence during the recently concluded political party primaries, particularly structural violence embedded within political institutions. According to the organizations, structural barriers continue to limit women’s political participation and representation, while the failure to pass the Special Seats Bill for Women has created a significant gap in efforts to address the historical and systemic exclusion of women from politics and governance.
The groups argued that at a time when deliberate interventions are required to promote inclusive governance and equitable representation, the absence of stronger legal and institutional safeguards continues to place women at a disadvantage within Nigeria’s political landscape.
Beyond legislative shortcomings, the organizations expressed concern that many women seeking political office continue to encounter resistance within their own political parties. They cited reports indicating that female aspirants are frequently pressured or compelled to step down in favour of male contenders under so-called party arrangements and political calculations that prioritize male candidates irrespective of the competence, qualifications, or popularity of the women involved.
According to the statement, such practices undermine democratic principles, weaken internal party democracy, and deny women equal opportunities to compete for leadership positions.
IRIAD and The Electoral Hub further highlighted the broad spectrum of violence and intimidation faced by women in politics, noting that many female politicians and aspirants encounter threats to their lives, threats against family members and supporters, physical assaults, harassment at campaign events, destruction of campaign materials and property, and other forms of election-related violence designed to discourage their participation.
The statement also pointed to widespread psychological abuse targeting women in politics, including intimidation, blackmail, humiliation, character assassination, and persistent attempts to undermine their confidence and credibility in the public sphere.
The organizations warned that the digital space has emerged as another significant arena for violence against women in politics. Female politicians and aspirants, they said, are increasingly subjected to online harassment, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation campaigns aimed at damaging their reputations and silencing their voices.
According to the statement, social media platforms are frequently exploited to spread sexist narratives, threats of violence, and derogatory content intended to discourage women from active political engagement.
The groups maintained that these acts of physical, psychological, and digital violence are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of gender-based political violence designed to exclude women from decision-making spaces and preserve existing inequalities in political representation.
They warned that when women are forced to choose between personal safety and political aspirations, democracy itself suffers, stressing that a democratic system can only be truly representative and legitimate when women are able to participate freely, safely, and equally at every stage of the political process.
Calling for urgent action, IRIAD and The Electoral Hub stressed that the safety and inclusion of women in politics are not merely women’s issues but democratic imperatives requiring collective action and sustained commitment from all sectors of society.
The organizations called on political parties to adopt and enforce zero-tolerance policies against all forms of violence, including intimidation, harassment, and hate speech directed at women in politics. They urged parties to strengthen internal democracy, create safe and inclusive spaces for women, establish credible accountability mechanisms, investigate cases of gender-based political violence, sanction offenders, and ensure equal opportunities for women aspirants and candidates.
They also urged the government, including the National Assembly and other relevant institutions, to demonstrate stronger commitment to advancing women’s political participation and representation by expediting the passage of the Special Seats Bill for Women, strengthening the implementation of laws addressing political violence and gender-based discrimination, and ensuring institutions responsible for electoral integrity are adequately resourced.
The statement further called on security and law enforcement agencies to respond swiftly and effectively to reports of violence against women in politics, thoroughly investigate incidents, hold perpetrators accountable regardless of political affiliation or social status, adopt gender-sensitive election security approaches, and provide adequate protection for women candidates and political actors facing threats and violence.
Political contestants were urged to embrace issue-based campaigns that promote healthy democratic competition and respect for human rights. The organizations called on politicians to reject violence, intimidation, disinformation, and gender-based attacks as political tools and instead foster tolerance, civility, and peaceful engagement throughout the electoral process.
Civil society organizations were encouraged to intensify efforts to monitor, document, and report incidents of violence against women in politics, provide support mechanisms for victims, and sustain public education campaigns promoting gender equality, democratic participation, and accountability.
The groups also challenged citizens to play a more active role in safeguarding democracy by rejecting hate speech, political violence, and discriminatory attitudes that discourage women from seeking public office. Nigerians, they said, should support women candidates based on competence, vision, and contributions to society while actively confronting stereotypes and harmful narratives that undermine women’s leadership and participation.
According to the statement, the 2027 General Elections present an important opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its commitment to inclusive democracy. Every stakeholder, the organizations said, has a responsibility to ensure that women can contest, campaign, vote, organize, lead, and serve without fear of intimidation, discrimination, or violence.
As activities marking the 10 Days of Activism continue, IRIAD and The Electoral Hub reiterated that violence against women in politics is not an isolated phenomenon but a manifestation of broader structural inequalities requiring urgent and collective action.
The organizations maintained that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable development or democratic consolidation while excluding or endangering half of its population, adding that the future of the country’s democracy depends on the meaningful participation of women at every level of politics.
They stated that the theme, “Safe Voices, Strong Democracy,” serves as a reminder that when women can speak, participate, contest, and lead without fear, democracy becomes stronger, more representative, and more accountable.
The statement stressed that protecting women from political violence is not only a matter of women’s rights and gender equity but also a critical requirement for safeguarding democratic values and strengthening democratic institutions.
IRIAD and The Electoral Hub reaffirmed their commitment to promoting women’s political participation and representation, defending democratic rights, advancing gender equity and justice, and advocating for a political environment in which every woman can exercise her constitutional rights safely and freely.
The organizations concluded with a call for collective action to protect women in politics, amplify women’s voices, ensure safe political participation, strengthen democracy, build an inclusive Nigeria, and bring an end to violence against women in politics.
