Imo Assembly's Gender Gap: How Women's Representation Rose, Declined and Disappeared
From zero female lawmakers in 1999 to three in 2015, and back to zero in 2023, the story of women's representation in Imo State's legislature reveals how modest political gains can be reversed. But what happened between those elections, and what does it mean for women's participation in decisions that shape their lives? Attending the launch of the Imo State Strategic Policy Blueprint for the Advancement of Citizens' Needs and the Imo State Citizens' Charter of Demands, an initiative organised by the Dorothy Njemanze Foundation with support from the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, left me with questions. During the presentation of the 2026 Imo State Women's Needs Assessment Report, I listened as findings were shared about the realities facing women across the state. Eighty-six per cent of respondents reportedly had no health insurance, while 56 per cent said they had no access to land. The discussions also highlighted women's demands around economic empowerment, educ...
