Gender

Osogbo, Osun State – August 10, 2026

Crownrise Development Initiative (CDI) hosted a one-day dialogue tagged “Her Voice Matters”, bringing together key stakeholders, women, young people, civil society actors and democracy advocates to discuss the need for increased and meaningful participation of women in politics and democratic governance.

The dialogue, held on Friday, August 8, 2026, in Osogbo, Osun State, was themed “Women Participation in Politics.” The programme provided a platform for participants to examine the opportunities, challenges and barriers limiting women’s involvement in political processes, leadership and decision-making.

The event commenced with a welcome address by the Executive Director of Crownrise Development Initiative, Hon. Adetunji Ajala, who emphasized the organization’s commitment to creating platforms that amplify citizens’ voices and promote inclusive participation in governance. He buttressed the importance of ensuring that women are not merely represented as voters and supporters during elections but are also empowered to actively contest for political offices and occupy decision-making spaces.

A major highlight of the programme was the panel discussion, which featured experienced professionals and stakeholders with diverse perspectives on democracy, elections, gender inclusion and civic participation.

The panel comprised Miss Obafemi Deborah, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Kukah Centre; Mr. Rufus Ariyo, Head of Department, Voter Education, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); and Dr. Funmilayo Ojo, former Secretary of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

The panelists explored various dimensions of women’s participation in politics, including voter education, political representation, leadership opportunities, media visibility, institutional barriers and the role of women in strengthening democratic institutions.

Discussions also highlighted the need to address some of the persistent challenges confronting women in politics, including limited access to political structures, inadequate resources, societal stereotypes, violence and intimidation, and insufficient support for women seeking elective and appointive positions.

Participants were encouraged to move beyond conversations about women’s inclusion and take deliberate steps towards creating an environment where women can participate freely, safely and meaningfully at every level of the political process.

The dialogue provided an opportunity for participants to share experiences, ask questions and contribute recommendations on practical ways to strengthen women’s political participation in Osun State and Nigeria at large.

The engagement further emphasized the importance of civic education, mentorship, advocacy, networking and capacity building as critical tools for preparing more women to take up leadership roles and contribute effectively to democratic governance.

The “Her Voice Matters” Dialogue is part of CDI’s broader commitment to advancing good governance, civic participation, gender inclusion and accountable democratic institutions through community engagement, advocacy, research and capacity building.

#Her voice matters #Her participation matters #Her leadership matters.