TheCable

ElectHER, a non-profit organisation, has partnered with African Women on Board (AWB) and AGS Tribe to launch a $1 million fund to support Nigerian women seeking to run for elective office in 2023.

The initiative was announced at an event themed ‘Women for Women Conference; Partnering For Parity’ on Tuesday.

The Women for Women Fund is a sub fund under ElectHER’s Agender35 campaign, which has an overarching goal to raise a $10 million fund to empower 1000 women who decide to run and directly fund 35 women to competitively run for elective office in the 2023 Nigerian general elections.

Ibijoke Faborode, co-founder and executive director of ElectHER, said the conference is about pushing the narrative instead of demystifying the myth that women do not support one another.

“I kind of feel as women rise and evolve, overcome barriers, succeed in our fields, it is important we grow with a sense of coming together with one common vision and purpose,” she said.

“Let’s start harnessing our talents and resources and put our money where our mouth is. So, the Women for Women conference is one.”

She said the fund is a collective call to encourage multiple female stakeholders to get onboard and put their money where their mouth is.

Faborode encouraged women to become more empowered in all spheres of life, take on leadership positions across the private and public sector and lead large business ventures.

“Be very unapologetic about who you are, focus on your competence,” she added.

“I believe deeply in myself and I work hard to ensure that I’m the best version of myself always and when I stand tall among equals I’m not found wanting.”

Abosede George-Ogan, co-founder of ElectHer, said: “In US, organizations like Emily’s list have raised over $600 million to support thousands of pro-choice women to run for office.”

“It is time to start building a similar funding base in Nigeria for women who will represent the interest of women and girls in political leadership positions.”

Nkiru Balonwu, founder and chairperson of AWB, lamented that lack of funding and campaign support are key factors that limit the political ambitions of women.

“As we advocate for measures to increase the representation of women in governance, and as the general elections draw closer, there is no better time than now for frameworks to be put in place to ensure that female candidates in 2023 get the support they need,” she added.

On her part, Ife Durosinmi-Etti, founder of AGS Tribe, emphasized the need for pooling resources to get more women in elective office.

ElectHER noted that fundraising for the fund would be carried out through a dedicated digital platform which would enable both naira and dollar donations.