On September 13, 2025, Omotayo Oluwadunsin Veronica, an Emerging Political Leaders Fellow, convened a powerful virtual dialogue titled “Enhancing Women’s Representation in Political Leadership: How Can Young Women Be Inspired and Equipped to Take on Political Leadership Roles?”
Held via Google Meet, the two hour session gathered an energetic mix of young women, male allies, civic advocates, and thought leaders from across Nigeria and beyond. Together, they engaged in a deeply reflective and solution driven conversation on the persistent barriers limiting women’s participation in politics, from social stereotypes and lack of mentorship to institutional and economic constraints.
More than just a dialogue, the event became a rallying point for collective action. Participants shared lived experiences, exchanged ideas, and explored practical ways to bridge the gap between aspiration and representation. The central question, How can we move from conversation to real change in women’s political participation? became a powerful call to rethink systems, inspire agency, and equip the next generation of women leaders to take their rightful place in decision making spaces.
Key Outcomes
The session was rich with insight and impact. Two expert speakers; Ms. Oluwaseun Kola-Akinola, Coordinator of the Young Women in Politics Forum (YWIPF) Ekiti State Chapter and Founder of Female Network, and Rt. Hon. Babatunde Olusanya, Speaker of the Ekiti Youth Parliament (4th Assembly), shared transformative lessons on women’s political leadership and the power of allyship.
Over 20 participants actively engaged in the conversation, contributing their perspectives during interactive Q&A sessions. The dialogue was not only informative but also action-driven, leading to the creation of a mentorship connection between a young woman participant and one of the speakers, an early sign of lasting impact.
The session also inspired a shift in mindset. Participants explored real-life stories of resilience and leadership, discussed how to overcome self-doubt, and identified ways to navigate systemic barriers. The dialogue underscored that male allyship, solidarity, and mentorship are not optional, they are essential ingredients for progress.
By the end of the session, participants left with practical tools for building confidence, engaging in policy discussions, and envisioning a future where women lead boldly and collaboratively.
Lessons Learnt
The session revealed several truths about the ongoing struggle for women’s political empowerment:
Role models inspire action: Seeing women in leadership motivates young women to believe they can lead too.
Civic education is lacking: Many young women remain unaware of political processes and opportunities for engagement.
Cultural and social barriers persist: Gender norms and societal expectations continue to discourage political ambition among women.
Limited access to networks and resources: Many young women find it difficult to enter political spaces or sustain their interest in governance.
Underused youth platforms: Few youth organizations prioritize female political participation, leaving many young women unrepresented.
Yet, amidst these challenges, one message rang clear: change begins when young women are equipped, encouraged, and connected.
Next Steps
To sustain the momentum from this powerful conversation, Omotayo Oluwadunsin Veronica and her team developed a forward-looking roadmap designed to translate dialogue into tangible action.
The plan focuses on building capacity, strengthening networks, and institutionalizing gender inclusion in political spaces. It begins with the development of a targeted action plan that designs leadership training and mentorship initiatives in collaboration with schools, NGOs, and political parties.
Next, the team will establish mentorship and role model programs that connect aspiring young women with accomplished female leaders through structured mentorship networks, ensuring that guidance and inspiration remain continuous.
Recognizing the importance of knowledge, they will strengthen civic education by integrating gender-sensitive leadership and civic studies in schools, complemented by workshops, debates, and webinars that promote political awareness and participation.
To deepen grassroots engagement, youth-led advocacy groups and women’s leadership clubs will be created within educational and community spaces, fostering peer advocacy and collective action.
The team also plans to engage policymakers and institutions to push for gender-inclusive policies, leadership quotas, and support systems that make political spaces more welcoming for women.
At the same time, they will leverage digital platforms to drive awareness campaigns, create virtual networking spaces, and sustain online engagement around women’s political empowerment.
Finally, Omotayo’s team will monitor and evaluate progress by setting measurable goals, tracking outcomes, and refining strategies to ensure that the initiative remains effective, inclusive, and impactful over time.
A Movement of Voices and Vision
What began as an evening conversation became a spark for a broader movement, a reminder that women’s inclusion in politics is not just about representation, but about reimagining leadership itself.
Through this civic engagement, Omotayo Oluwadunsin Veronica demonstrated that empowering young women to lead begins with creating safe, intentional spaces for dialogue, mentorship, and action. By building confidence, community, and capacity, she set in motion a ripple effect that will continue to inspire young women to rise, lead, and shape the future of Nigeria’s political landscape.
The message was clear: when women lead, society moves forward.
Leave a Reply