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The National Women Leader of the Labour Party, Mrs Dudu Manuga, has said it is morally wrong and unfair for some Nigerians to label female politicians as women of easy virtue.
She insisted that women in politics should be respected.
Manuga made this call at a programme in Abuja to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
She said, “Some people still regard women in politics as loose and promiscuous, but this is not true. Unfortunately, it has become a common narrative in this country. At times, we are even directly attacked in the political arena during heated debates, with comments like, ‘Who are you? You’re just prostitutes.'”
“Though we can’t rule out the possibility of compromise in a few cases, it is unfair to label all women in politics as loose individuals, especially after late political engagements.”
Manuga highlighted that violence against women is widespread these days, noting that it isn’t limited to rape and sexual assault. She pointed out that harassment, intimidation, and other forms of mistreatment also occur in the workplace.
Continuing, Manuga stated that having late-night engagements and travelling across the country for campaigns are normal activities in politics and nation-building.
The Gombe politician also condemned the physical assault of women in politics by those who view them as soft targets.
She added, “It is not unusual to hear men taunting women who show interest in buying nomination forms for elective office at the grassroots level, telling them they are wasting their time. This, in itself, is emotional and psychological violence because it puts you in a state of constant worry.”
Manuga also addressed the issue of cyber-stalking and intimidation that some women in politics face.
She said, “Some of us experience cyber-stalking and intimidation from those who should know better online. One key topic we will discuss today is safety and security for women in politics. As they say, prevention is better than cure. We must know how to protect ourselves and what to do to avoid becoming victims of violence. We must stay alert in every political situation, observing the environment to recognise when the atmosphere changes.”
She also advised women to look out for warning signs, such as people pointing at them, and to leave quietly if necessary. Manuga stressed the importance of having emergency contact numbers for relatives, security personnel, party leaders, or loved ones.
“I must emphasise that violence against women is not only prevalent in politics. It is everywhere, and it is deeply concerning,” she concluded.
