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The UN Women office in Nigeria has launched a movie titled “Ibukun and the People” to promote women’s involvement in politics within the country.

At the film’s premiere over the weekend in Abuja, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women Country Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, called the movie “a strong demonstration of the resilience, challenges, and undiscovered capabilities of Nigerian women.”

Eyong stated, “This movie goes beyond just a narrative; it serves as a reflection. It showcases the real-life experiences of numerous women throughout this vast country—women who witness development initiatives left unfinished, healthcare facilities in disrepair, and the requirements of their children being neglected.”

The Side By Side Naija initiative is carried out by UN Women, with assistance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the Government of Canada.

The initiative employs narrative techniques to inform the public about the economic and social advantages of female leadership and to push for systemic reform, particularly the enactment of the Special Seats for Women Bill.

Eyong cautioned that without the legislation, “women have nearly no say in the laws that affect their lives,” resulting in insufficiently funded health and development initiatives and fewer economic prospects for women.

“We require legal systems that promote greater female representation in decision-making processes. Not as a gesture of goodwill, but as a crucial element for national progress,” she stated.

The movie includes Nigerian actors and actresses like Ivie Okujaye, Uzee Usman, Joke Silva, and Alexa Ibe, along with others.

Eyong urged Nigerians to watch the film as a motivator: “May this movie serve as the trigger for a new period of fair leadership in Nigeria.”

Nigeria is positioned near the bottom worldwide in terms of female participation in parliament, as women occupy fewer than 5% of positions in the National Assembly.

The Women’s Reserved Seats Bill aims to create designated positions to enhance female involvement in legislative processes.

In her statement, Sanna Selin, Finland’s Ambassador, emphasized her country’s long-term dedication to gender equality, describing it as a basic human right and an essential factor in promoting economic growth, peace, and sustainable development.

The Finnish envoy highlighted that gender equality serves as “a driver of progress and a promoter of peace.”

She observed that promoting gender equality enhances economic development, enhances health and education results, decreases poverty, and reinforces social justice and stability within communities.

Gender equality is not a belief system. The involvement and leadership of women contribute to lasting peace and security, and aid in preventing wars and disputes.

“Women must be present at every table where decisions are made and involved in all phases—not just in peace negotiations but also in global decision-making,” she stated.

She emphasized Finland’s historical contribution to promoting women’s political involvement, pointing out that it was the first nation globally, in 1906, to give women the ability to vote and the opportunity to run for office.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).