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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Womanifesto, a coalition of more than 250 organisations, has condemned a rising wave of violence, intimidation and harassment targeting women in Nigeria’s political processes, following the violent assault involving Senator Ireti Kingibe and officials of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja.
In a press statement signed by Convener of Womanifesto Nigeria Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the group called the attack “deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” and warned it is not an isolated incident. “Violence against women in politics is violence against democracy itself,” Womanifesto said, urging urgent action.
They noted the disturbing footage and accounts emerged from the past week showing women being assaulted and driven out of party primaries. At the APC primaries in Borno State’s Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge Federal Constituency, videos allegedly show women being kicked and violently removed from polling stations. The coalition also cited reports that Hon. Zainab Gimba “was allegedly attacked by thugs during the primaries.”
Womanifesto expressed alarm at allegations that security agencies present at some incidents “failed to intervene or protect the women under attack,” and warned that reports of compromise or complicity by security personnel “raise serious questions about the safety of women in Nigeria’s political environment and the willingness of institutions to uphold justice and democratic participation.”
“These incidents reflect the harsh reality many Nigerian women face simply for daring to participate in leadership, governance and public service,” the statement read. The group warned against the “dangerous normalisation of political thuggery and gender-based violence within Nigeria’s electoral and party systems,” adding that “a democratic process cannot be credible when women are beaten, silenced or driven away through fear and violence.”
Womanifesto demanded immediate, transparent and independent investigations into all reported cases of violence against women during the ongoing party primaries, called for the swift arrest and prosecution of those responsible, urged accountability for any security personnel found to have neglected their duty or compromised citizens’ safety, and sought stronger protection measures for women participating in political activities and elections alongside clear commitments by political parties to zero tolerance for violence, intimidation and harassment against women.
“Women in politics should not have to risk their safety, dignity or lives in order to serve their communities and country,” the coalition said, reaffirming solidarity with every woman who has experienced violence, intimidation or discrimination in the political process and insisting that women “have the constitutional right to participate in politics freely, safely and without fear.”
