This is how grass-root mobilisation boosted civic participation

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Politics in Nigeria starts in various local communities and wards

This story walks us through the importance of grassroots mobilisation to ensure many women vote

Ede, a tailor in Edo State was unsure if she would vote in the lead-up to the 2023 elections. However, this soon changed on a certain evening on her way back from the market. She had seen posters being put up on a wall and she had leaned in closer to take a better look. It was a poster of a female candidate contesting for a seat at the state house of Assembly. This had stirred something inside of her. She says; “like so many other people there really was not much interest to vote. People will say votes do not count and I was not sure I would vote. However, seeing that poster of that lady just changed something inside of me. I told myself these women were taking a step and it is only right that they are supported too. As women, we also have to rally around other women who are into this politics. So I went back home and started looking for my missing voter card, ’she said.

Her determination paid off and she found her card. She was able to cast her vote. She further submits that it is important to vote so one can have people who will represent the interests of women and deliver good governance. She says further; “listening to these women urging us all to come out, I realised that it is important that as women, it is very important to vote. We want good governance and we can elect leaders who will give it to us. We cannot keep folding our arms thinking a miracle will happen.’’

Aili Mari Tripp in a report opined that one of the most fascinating developments in African politics has been the increase in women’s political participation. The executive arm of Government in various countries in Africa has seen a representation of women holding seats. Rwanda currently has a 61 per cent representation of women in parliament. In Nigeria, only a few women actively participate in the political process.

Although the 35 per cent affirmative action is in place much remains to be seen on its implementation.  According to datapyte in recent years it has been less than 6 per cent.

In a bid to increase the participation of women in the overall electoral process, awareness has to be established for a clear course. This has led to the mobilisation of women at the grassroots level. Politics in Nigeria is said to be “local”. What this means is that politics starts in various local communities and wards. This has led to the mobilisation of women on the grass root.

“Grass root means going to meet intending and registered voters in their niche.”

Nigerian women political activists and groups have been active in leading grass root mobilisation of women who will cast their votes and also reach for political offices. Women must exercise their franchise so they can elect candidates who will better represent their interests at the state and national levels.
The overall campaigns of these women activists have been all encompassing in the 2023 General Election towards ensuring active participation of women in the electoral process.

Pre – Election Campaigns
In the lead-up to the 2023 General elections, women campaigners in a bid to garner awareness took their campaigns to the grass root to encourage women to go out and register for their Permanent Voters cards (PVCs) so they will be eligible to cast their votes. In different parts of the country, women’s groups were at the forefront of this, leading the charge to increase voter turnout. Mentoring Individuals Dream Initiative (MiND) is an NGO in Edo State that aims to enhance active civic participation that will bring about good governance.

The organisation was actively involved in campaigns before the elections. During the voter’s registration exercise, they were at the forefront urging citizens, women inclusive to register for their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs). In various wards in Edo State, the organisation embarked on a grass root sensitization campaign in a bid to encourage high voter turnout. When the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that PVCs were ready for collection, MiND began a grass-root campaign in various wards to create awareness on the various points of collection and how they can be located.

Igbon Blessing is the program Manager Mentoring Individuals Dream Initiative (MiND). She states that women are a marginalised population and it is important that they register so they can be active in the election process. She says further that the grass root campaign was important because it was important to meet them at their niche.

She says; “Grass root means going to meet intending and registered voters in their niche. Information at the grass root may not get to the intended parties because they are going about their day-to-day lives, and may be caught off from the sources where they can get vital information from.”
This article is part of the African Women in Media (AWiM)/Luminate Women in Politics Programme