From Gyang Bere, Jos
The Country National Vice President of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, Mrs. Amina Abaje said women play a crucial role in deepening electoral process and election success in Nigerian by providing millions of votes. 
She lamented that despites the participation of women in the process, women enjoy minimal representation in government with few women as representative at the National and State Assembly; Deputy Governors and even as appointees.
Mrs. Abaje disclosed this on Friday during a workshop for Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCD) and institutions with a theme, “Capacity Building Workshop for Law enforcement Agencies on prevention and response to violence against women in elections, Gender and disability protection approach”  held at Lamonde Hotel Jos, Plateau State.
She commended UN women for funding the project, going on simultaneously in Borno, Kwara, Kaduna and Plateau State respectively and said the gesture will enable women to exercise their franchise during the 2023 election without intimidation or any harassment.
Mrs Abaje who was represented by FIDA Chairperson, Plateau State Chapter, Mrs. Obioma Achilefu called on security personnel to accord adequate protection for women during the next year’s polls.
“We have observed low women’s participation in Nigeria’s Electoral process which has limited their contribution to decision making and democratic growth despite the fact that they represent about 50% of the Nigerian population.”
According to her, the data revealed by INEC shows that women’s rates of participation in formal decision making remain one of the lowest in the continent and across the world with women occupying an abysmal 5.6 percent (86 out of 1534) of all elective positions at both the national and subnational levels.
“Current statistics of women in parliament in Nigeria confirm that women representation in parliament is on a steady decline, 9% in 2007, 7% in 2011, 5% in 2015 and less than 10% in the 9th National Assembly. Using 2015 figures, there are only 4 women deputy Governors in all of Nigeria’s 36 states.
“Women constitute a powerful electorate with millions of votes in Nigeria. According to INEC, Nigerian women signaled their intentions to make their voices heard in the 2019 election, accounting for about 47. 14 percent (39,598,645 million) of the 84,004.084 million registered voters nationwide.
“Comparatively in 2015 3,667,076 house wives voted in the presidential election, placing next to students  4,480,708) and civil servants 4,628,433.
“Similarly, housewives rank third on the list of registered voters by group in the last 2019 election. They represented 14.10 percent of the total registered voters by group, next to farmers/fishers (16.23 percent) and students (26.57 percent).”
She noted that the workshop is being organized towards improving the participation of women through the mitigation of violence perpetrated against women in the 2023 general elections by strengthening the capacity of selected Law enforcement agencies, institutions, and oversight mechanisms to effectively prevent and respond to violence against women in elections, sexual and gender based violence, and other forms of violence against women.
The Commandant Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCD), Alexander Barunde represented by Victoria James, Gender Desk officer, commended FIDA for the workshop which he said will strengthen the electoral process ahead of the 2023 elections.
“You will agree with me that violence against women in general is a common phenomenon and is rooted in patriarchal culture of African nation. The culture of women in men’s world has put women in a disadvantage position that calls for an urgent solution of national development that we all crave for will be a reality.
“I wish to laud your mandate as a non-governmental , no-profit making organization which include to enhence, promote, protect and preserve the rights and welfare of women and children in Nigeria. Your efforts at achieving your goals and fulfilment of this mandate so far is quite commendable and I dare to say Kudos.”
The Director General of Plateau Peace Building Agency, Mr. Joseph Lengmang, represented the team lead Gender and Youths, Monica Buenkwap described nthe training as apt towards providing the framework for peaceful general elections in the state
He Commended FIDA for working assiduously in the protection of women, children and people with disabilities, and noted that workshop will encourage women to exercise their franchise in the next election.
Lengmang noted that women constitute the most voting population during election and said they need to be guaranteed of their protection to enable them come out to vote.
The National Officer of International Federation of Women Lawyers FIDA, Nigeria Rita Lasoju gave an overview of the project and said they are partnering with security agencies to give women protection during the 2023 elections.
She said FIDA is working with necessary stakeholders such as the NSCD, Police, INEC and peace building agencies to ensure that women are protected during election.
She explained that the project is going on in four states of Borno, Kwara, Kaduna and Plateau State and it will wine up after the 2023 elections.