Hannah Awolọwọ foundation hosts national dialogue on women in politics, 30 years after Beijing

The Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) Awolọwọ Foundation is convening a major national dialogue to examine the state of women’s political participation in the country, an event designed as Nigeria joins the global community in marking three decades since the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Penpushing reports that Convener and Executive Director of the Foundation, Ọlatokunbọ Awolọwọ Dosumu in a statement, described the event as a moment to reflect on progress, reclaim agency, and reimagine leadership in Nigeria through the eyes of its women.

The event, themed “Breaking Barriers or Standing Still? Nigerian Women in Politics 30 Years After Beijing,” will hold on Tuesday, November, 25, 2025, at Ẹfunyẹla Hall, Ikenne, Ogun State.

Penpushing further reports that the dialogue beginning at 9 a.m. is part of activities marking the 110th posthumous birthday of Yeye Oodua, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolọwọ.

The foundation established in 2016 by Ọlatokunbọ Awolọwọ Dosumu, continues the towering legacy of Hannah Awolọwọ (1915–2015), a formidable businesswoman, political actor, community leader, and iconic matriarch of the Awolọwọ family.

Penpushing also reports that the deceased is celebrated for her grace, resilience, and quiet but firm influence in Nigeria’s political history, while she remains a model for generations of women navigating the intersections of leadership, family, and public service.

The statement explained that this year’s dialogue aims to interrogate the slow pace of progress in women’s political representation in Nigeria, despite decades of advocacy and the country’s commitments under the Beijing Platform for Action.

Penpushing reports that the event brings together a distinguished line-up of policymakers, gender advocates, academics, and women leaders, while former Senator and Executive Chairman of South Atlantic Petroleum, Daisy Danjuma, will chair the dialogue.

The keynote address will be delivered by renowned scholar and gender expert, Ọlabisi Aina, who is expected to provide a sweeping analysis of Nigeria’s journey from 1995 to date, highlighting both gains and persistent gaps.

“Through a blend of historical reflection, policy analysis, storytelling, and action-oriented conversations, the event will bring together policymakers, academics, activists, and women leaders across generations’.

‘Participants will interrogate why, despite decades of advocacy, Nigerian women remain vastly underrepresented in elective and appointive positions; explore cultural and structural impediments; and spotlight the voices and lived experiences of women who have dared to lead,” the statement said.

Penpushing further reports that it added that the conversation will unfold around seven interconnected sub-themes and will be wrapped up with a panel on the way forward.

The areas of focus of the conversation are: Historical and Policy Context: “Beijing ’95 to Today: Tracking Nigeria’s Commitments and Compliance”; Representation and Reality: “Numbers Don’t Lie: Why Are Nigerian Women Still Missing in Action?”; Barriers and Breakthroughs: “The Glass Ceiling and the Iron Fence: Cultural and Structural Barriers to Women’s Leadership”;

Penpushing also reports that others are lessons from Elsewhere: “Why Have Other Nations Crossed the Threshold?”; Women in Power: Lived Experiences: “In Her Own Words: Stories from Women Who Led – or Tried To”; Youth, Intersectionality, and the Future: “Next Gen.

The focus includes New Lens: Young Women and the Future of Political Leadership”; Advocacy: “Power in Numbers: The Role of Women’s Movements, Civil Society Organisations, and Alliances”; Action Planning: “The Way Forward: Building a New Agenda for Nigerian Women in Politics.”

Penpushing reports that the statement stated that the dialogue, will also feature insights from a diverse panel of high-profile discussants, including: Chantal Fanny, Vice-President of the Senate of Côte d’Ivoire; Uche Ekwunife, politician, legislator and banker; Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy; and Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, Founder, RISE Networks and RISE Interactive Studios, Africa.

The statement said concluding session, focused on mapping a concrete way forward, will be moderated by Abikẹ Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, former federal lawmaker and widely respected advocate for Nigerians in the diaspora.

Penpushing further reports that goodwill messages are expected from distinguished personalities, including invited State Governors and the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

The statement added that a special message from United Nations (UN) Women will be delivered by Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, United Nations (UN) Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of United Nations (UN) Women.

Penpushing also reports that the foundation explained that, the 2025 dialogue seeks to move beyond rhetoric toward actionable strategies that deepen women’s inclusion in politics, strengthen collaboration across generations, and align national efforts with global commitments on gender equality.

The dialogue forms part of the foundation’s broader mission to advance national development, peace and well-being — values embodied throughout the life of the deceased, one of Nigeria’s most influential women of the 20th century.

Penpushing further reports that recent statistics show Nigerian women remain significantly underrepresented in both elective and appointive positions, prompting renewed calls for reforms and stronger institutional support.

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