By Jimitota Onoyume

President of the Hope Restored Advocacy Organization, Dr. Philomena Onoyona, has advocated for electoral reforms, such as proportional representation, to create a more inclusive political space for women. 

In her presentation  at a  seminar in Chicago, United States of America (USA), Dr Onoyona  highlighted  the challenges facing women  in both elective and appointed positions, revealing that less than 7 percent of Nigerian women participate in politics. “Women in Nigeria are highly active in economic, civil, and governmental sectors, but this involvement must be further encouraged, especially in the national assembly,” she stated.

She emphasized that the journey to achieving gender parity in Nigerian politics requires dismantling systemic barriers, allowing women to fully showcase their leadership potential and drive progress across the country

Dr. Onoyona who recently co-founded with her husband, a youth focused organization, called Delta Youths of Today, where she also serves as vice president, stressed that despite various empowerment programs designed to boost female political engagement, Dr. Onoyona pointed to financial barriers as one of the major obstacles hindering women from running for office. “Raising funds to buy interest forms, organize grassroots campaigns, and sustain election efforts is incredibly difficult for women,” she explained, emphasizing the need for more financial support for female candidates.

A key issue, Dr. Onoyona noted, is the societal perception of women in politics. Too often, women are seen as support figures, rather than potential leaders, a mindset that undermines their abilities and discourages their participation. However, there is a growing demand among Nigerian women for equal representation, as they believe they possess the skills and competence to contribute meaningfully to governance.

The Delta state born academic further urged women’s organizations to engage men as allies in promoting gender equality in politics and called on communities to support female candidates by volunteering, donating, and raising awareness on social media. She also stressed the importance of mentorship, where women in leadership roles help cultivate the next generation of female leaders. 

Dr. Onoyona who hails from Agbor, Delta state, resident in the United States said the growing underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political space should be redressed. .