Five Questions with Adebanke Ilori
In Nigeria, politics and governance are inaccessible to young people, especially so to young women. However, one lady is on a mission to change that. Adebanke Ilori is a lawyer, the executive director of the Raising New Voices Initiative (a non-governmental organisation that promotes governance reform and youth representation in politics) and she is one of several young women in Nigerian politics.
Additionally, she is the National Publicity Secretary of the KOWA Party who led the first national initiative to crowdfund for the campaign of young politicians through the #BreakTheHold Campaign. We had a sit down with her about her work and passion.
[The Election Network]: There has being a surge in the conversation about getting women to participate in governance and politics. How much impact do you think these conversations and spaces have had on getting women to run for office and be comfortable with power?
[Adebanke Ilori]: The conversation has been quite helpful in raising awareness about political participation among women. It has impacted on young women especially as a higher number of us are beginning to consider politics as a field to venture into. We are also equipping ourselves with the needed skills and are taking advantage of the information that is available. In the 2019 elections, for example, we saw more women contest at the party primaries level signifying their interests in running for public office. Having more women win elections is taking longer than we would like because there are various barriers to break. I definitely believe the conversation has been very helpful.
[TEN]: What are some women-specific problems you have noticed in the politics and governance space in Nigeria? Did any of these issues influence your role as Executive Director with Raising New Voices Initiative?
[A.I.]: The women-specific problems in politics range from socio-cultural beliefs which have affected first, how women are socialized and second, how the society responds to the candidacy of women in elections. Furthermore, elections are expensive and men traditionally have access to more human and financial resources to support their candidacy.
Prior to my work with Raising New Voices Initiative, I worked on issues of gender mainstreaming in Nigeria. As a member of a political party and a couple of organizations working on this, my approach has been to educate the society on the economic importance of ensuring that we mainstream women in politics.
Our work at New Voices focuses on inclusive governance and legislative reforms and the problems facing women have influenced the type of solutions we proffer. For example, during our #BreakTheHold campaign to crowdfund for resources for young people to run in 2019, we consciously sought to support women and people with disabilities to run for office with a view to providing financial resources, we have also promoted women participation in our citizens fellowship in Osun State and supported the push for legislative and electoral reforms to promote political participation among women. Furthermore, we partner with other CSOs regularly to promote reforms aimed at gender mainstreaming.
[TEN]: If anyone wants to get involved with Raising New Voices Initiative, how should they start?
[A.I.]: They can start by supporting our activities and registering as members via raisingnewvoices.org. We can also be reached at @NewVoicesNg on Twitter and Facebook. We are growing a vibrant community of young leaders across the country and we organize community-based meetings and projects regularly which we’d love all Nigerian youths to be a part of.
[TEN]: There are many items on the electoral reform bill that has been pending for so long, what is that one important reform you will love to see take effect in future elections?
[A.I.]: We need thorough electoral reforms and, in my opinion, there are some salient items which aren’t included in the current bill. However, as far as the current effort is concerned, I appreciate the recognition of the need for us to deploy technology at a higher rate because I believe this will promote transparency. Subsequently, it is my hope that we can have specific electoral amendments aimed at promoting adequate participation of women in our polity.
[TEN]: Do you think you will run for office in Nigeria and why?
[A.I.]: Yes, I will be running for office in the nearest future because I will make an outstanding public servant. Nigeria needs the kind of strategic and empathetic leadership I am capable of providing. I am committed to nation-building and I have the needed vigour and skills to provide quality leadership. With my professional, social and educational skills I am poised to addressing the challenges our nation faces.
