By Nafisat Makinde
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Women’s Directorate has launched its Action Plan for 2024-2028 and inaugurated state chapters in a two-day capacity building workshop and public presentation. The event, themed ” Breaking Barriers and Sharing Positive Attitudes for Inclusive Politics in Nigeria ,” kicked off today, Wednesday, April 23, 2025, and continues until Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Honorable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, commended the leadership of IPAC and the Women’s Directorate for their unwavering commitment to gender equity and political inclusion. She emphasized that the time has come for Nigeria to reimagine its political ecosystem through the lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion. “The call for inclusivity is not merely aspirational, it is necessary,” the Minister stated.
The Minister highlighted the historical exclusion of women in Nigeria’s political and governance systems, citing socio-cultural norms, institutional limitations, and outright discrimination. “Breaking these barriers demands intentional, sustained action at all levels; federal, state, and local,” she stressed. This includes legal reforms that protect women’s rights to political participation, financial support mechanisms to address economic disenfranchisement, safe political spaces free of intimidation, and inclusive party structures that go beyond tokenism to genuine empowerment.
“We must move away from the narrative that politics is a male-dominated terrain and begin to normalize women’s leadership across all spheres,” the Minister declared. “This requires deliberate storytelling, the amplification of female political role models, and robust civic education to inspire confidence in women and girls from a young age.” She also emphasized the need to reshape attitudes and challenge persistent stereotypes that relegate women to the background.
Currently, women hold only about 4.8% of seats in the National Assembly, a stark reminder of the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political landscape. The Action Plan aims to catalyze transformation across party lines and levels of government, with objectives that include promoting women’s leadership and challenging persistent stereotypes.
The Minister urged all stakeholders to support the rollout and implementation of the Action Plan, emphasizing that inclusive politics is not a favour to women, but a duty to democracy. “Nigeria cannot move forward when half of its population is left behind,” she declared. The establishment of state chapters ensures the vision of inclusive politics is rooted in every community, local government, and constituency.
The Minister expressed hope for the initiative’s potential impact, saying, “Change is never easy but it is always possible. And with the energy and vision I have witnessed among the women gathered here, I am filled with hope.” The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs stands ready to support the IPAC Women’s Directorate in promoting inclusive politics.
With the launch of the Action Plan and inauguration of state chapters, the IPAC Women’s Directorate has taken a significant step towards breaking barriers and promoting positive attitudes for inclusive politics in Nigeria.
