Training of Trainers on Women to Women Voter Education in Osun State
The Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund in partnership with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) jointly hosted three events aimed at supporting marginalised Nigerians in the electoral process. The first activity was “A Training of Trainers on Women to Women Voter Education” which was held on 6 – 7 September, 2018 while the second activity was “A Cascade of training to other Women” held on 10 – 11 September, 2018 rounded up by a mobilisation event in various LGAs and the streets of Osogbo. This was made possible with support from the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EUSDGN)
This engagement, supported by the EU SDGN ushered in efforts to make the systems that govern the participation of citizens in the electoral process fairer and more inclusive, particularly for excluded populations like women and People with disabilities (PWD’s).
The two-day training of trainers held in Osogbo with 14 participants attending from the three Senatorial Districts of Osun State Nigeria. The training was held against the background of growing concern about the decrease in women’s political participation and to promote more women to participate in the electoral process especially in the build up to the Governorship election in Osun State as well as the upcoming 2019 general elections.
Similarly, to ensure there is an increase in knowledge, capacity and in the long run women’s participation in politics, the training sought to build the skills of women in Osun State to enable them conduct voter education activities in the various communities in the State. The training also sought to help the women identify challenges that occur during voter education training as well as the solutions that will help motivate and educate other women to be involved in the electoral process.