With the Right Support, Every Woman Can Lead

It's not easy to be a woman in Nigerian politics. At the highest levels of Nigerian governance, men vastly outnumber women. In the Senate and House of Representatives, women hold only three percent and four percent of seats, respectively. This gender disproportionality is evident in state and municipal governments as well. The lack of women in leadership positions in local government and civil society reflects how difficult it is for females to carve out leadership positions or rise through the ranks.

Being a female in leadership in Nigeria means navigating a complex and often uneven playing field, shaped by societal expectations, systemic barriers, and deep-rooted gender norms. It requires resilience, determination, and strength to create meaningful change in the face of historical inequities.

Striving for gender equality is not only advantageous to the women who might benefit from these efforts, but it is beneficial for Nigerian society in general. Women's empowerment in governance can increase the quality of democracy by creating a society that is more representative of its citizenry and thus more stable. A more inclusive and diverse set of leaders across all levels of society can lessen internal conflicts and improve peacebuilding outcomes. To address the gender inequalities in Nigeria, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) created and hosted the Young Women's Leadership Training Program (YWLTP).

IFES's YWLTP is an empowering initiative designed to help young women in Nigeria chart a pathway through the maze of long-standing gender biases in order to achieve their dreams. Consisting of women ages 18 to 30 and tailored specifically for women with disabilities, university students, and female election candidates who have run for office without success, this program builds participants' confidence, teaches leadership skills, and nurtures a female-centered support system. The program creates a network of persevering women ready to make an impact in elections, activism, or governance.

To break through gender barriers, young women need tools. The YWLTP focuses on equipping participants with the resources and know-how they need to step boldly into leadership positions. While completing the IFES training, many beneficiaries created one-year-long work plans, setting personal goals for their leadership, political, and career goals, which were submitted to IFES for accountability and ongoing support, ensuring their growth is both strategic and sustained.

One year later, IFES checked back in with three participants, Ifunanya, Praise, and Toyin, to see what they've accomplished:

Ifunanya Okoye, has become a registered member of a political party in Anambra State, where she is actively supporting a female councillorship candidate by crafting campaign messages. She also applied her training to run for an elective position in the Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), successfully securing the role of Chief Whip for Ekwusigo LGA.

What positive changes have you observed due to your hard work?
Ifunanya: My level of self-confidence has increased and every day, I continually strive for personal growth and excellence in leadership; daring and striving to do more and become a better leader/version of myself.

What future transformations do you hope to see come out of your work?
Ifunanya: Through my work with IFES, I have witnessed the support and interest of individuals invested in my growth. This has spurred me to do more and want to be more. I am determined to make a significant impact in the realm of whatever leadership position I am privileged to occupy, and I aspire to be recognized among the world's most influential female leaders, such as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

What does democracy mean to you?
Ifunanya: Democracy, to me, embodies the power of the people to shape their own destiny. It represents inclusiveness, equality, and the freedom to express opinions, make choices, and hold leaders accountable. True democracy thrives when every voice is heard, and every right is protected.

My work in Nigeria is driven by a deep passion and commitment to justice, equality, and education. Through initiatives like Justice Link and programs for gender inclusion, I strive to amplify the voices to the marginalized, contribute towards preventing innocent citizens from falling victim to systemic injustices, and empower young girls to pursue education. I firmly believe that change begins with action, and I'm committed to creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Praise is leading leadership training sessions for secondary school girls in Ebonyi State, aiming to inspire them to embrace leadership roles. She initiated a secondary school outreach program, visiting two schools to engage with students and instill a passion for leadership, preparing them for future roles in higher education and beyond.

How did IFES's training prepare you to conduct your own trainings at the secondary schools in Ebonyi State?
Praise: The training I received from IFES provided me with the confidence and skills to effectively engage and inspire young minds. Through sessions on leadership and public speaking, I learned how to connect with diverse audiences and deliver impactful messages. When working with secondary schools in Ebonyi State, I applied these lessons to develop interactive sessions on gender equality, leadership, and personal development. IFES taught me how to tailor my approach to empower young students, ensuring that they not only learn but also feel inspired to take action in their communities.

From your own experience, how does the quality of leadership differ when led by women?
Praise: In my experience, women-led leadership often comes with a special combination of empathy, collaboration, and resilience. As the team lead at HerRise Foundation, I facilitated open dialogue during a recent community project, ensuring that every voice was heard. This approach not only fostered trust and empathy but also sparked innovative solutions as everyone felt a sense of belonging. This demonstrates that inclusive leadership can truly transform outcomes for individuals and communities. Women leaders excel in creating environments where individuals feel valued and empowered, driving meaningful progress.

I believe it is imperative for women to take on leadership roles as diverse leadership leads to more inclusive and effective decision-making. Women bring unique perspectives shaped by their experiences and their involvement which ensures that policies and initiatives address the needs of all individuals. When women are in leadership positions, entire communities thrive.

What future impacts do you hope to see through your continued efforts?
Praise: My vision is to cultivate a generation of empowered young women who shatter barriers, redefine leadership, and create inclusive communities. As the founder of HerRise Foundation, I envision a world where every girl, regardless of her background, has access to quality education, asserts her rights, and fearlessly leads in spaces where her voice was once stifled.

What does democracy mean to you?
Praise: Democracy embodies principles of inclusion, equality, and the empowerment of every individual to shape decisions that affect their lives. It entails establishing systems where everyone, irrespective of their status or background, has an opportunity to participate, lead, and thrive.

Through my work in Nigeria, my goal is to inspire a new generation of young people, particularly girls, to transcend limitations and lead with confidence. From initially providing sanitary pads to over 1,000 teenage girls to engage more than 3,000 students in leadership programs, I am unwaveringly committed to creating platforms where young voices are amplified, dreams are nurtured, and barriers are dismantled. My message is clear: with the right support, every child can thrive, and every girl can lead.

Toyin has been conducting leadership coaching sessions for young women in Osun State and established the Blooming Wellness Initiative. This organization promotes young women's participation in leadership and addresses gender-based violence. Through her initiative, she hosts monthly dialogues on leadership and civic engagement.

Why do you believe it is essential for women to hold leadership positions?

Toyin: It is crucial because women are just as capable as men and can drive impactful change. Women bring a peculiar style of leadership to the table, shaped by their diverse life experiences, which can greatly enhance decision-making processes. Furthermore, women have a profound influence on the next generation of leaders - our children. By harnessing this influence through leadership roles, we can shape a brighter future for society.

The quality of leadership is distinct when women are at the helm. Women, often conditioned to prioritize family and community, bring a unique perspective that can drive a sustainable society. Their values, ability to think critically, and firsthand experience with issues affecting women and children allow them to champion policies and initiatives with passion and insight.

What future transformations do you hope to see through your continued efforts and engagement with the community?
Toyin: Moving forward, my goal is to see a community where women are empowered to realize their full leadership potential and become unstoppable forces for positive change; rising above societal norms.

Can you share a surprising discovery you made during your monthly dialogues?
Toyin: One surprising discovery during our dialogues was the decision to include graduates in attendance. I was pleasantly surprised to find that topics I initially thought were more suitable for secondary school girls were highly relevant to them. This experience revealed that, despite the numerous initiatives and interventions for young women, there is a need to pay closer attention to unemployed graduates. Supporting them in developing and honing their leadership skills has become a critical area of focus for me.

What message would you like to convey to readers worldwide about the impactful work you are doing in Nigeria?
Toyin: The work we are doing in Nigeria is centered around empowering young women to recognize and harness their leadership abilities, sparking a wave of positive transformation. Our mission is to instill confidence, build skills, and challenge societal norms that hinder women's participation in leadership roles, paving the way for a brighter future. To readers worldwide, empowering women is not just a local endeavor, it transcends borders-it is a global imperative for creating inclusive, resilient, and sustainable societies.

IFES continues to monitor the progress of all beneficiaries of the Young Women's Leadership Training Program and provides ongoing technical support to help them reach their leadership aspirations.