The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, has called for deliberate and sustained engagement of women in politics to make participation a culture rather than a seasonal ambition.

Dr Oyebanji made the call on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during a strategic meeting with civil society organisations (CSOs) on the theme, “Collaboration for Enhancing Women’s Political Participation.”

She said the engagement of women, particularly those in tertiary institutions and at the grassroots, was crucial to increasing their representation at all tiers of governance in Ekiti State.

According to her, early political orientation and structured mentoring will help demystify leadership for young women and boost their confidence to participate actively in governance.

“To achieve meaningful inclusion, we must begin to groom our girls and young women early, on our campuses, in our communities and local councils, so that participation in politics becomes a natural progression and not an afterthought,” she said.

The governor’s wife proposed measures to advance women’s political inclusion, including increasing women’s representation at all levels of governance, establishing a Women’s Caucus in the State House of Assembly, creating structured mentorship platforms for aspiring female leaders, and investing in leadership and capacity-building programmes.

She said women in the state possess the competence, resilience and leadership capacity required to contribute meaningfully to governance but often lack institutional support and encouragement.

“Our women are ready. They are capable and strong. They simply need support and sometimes a little encouragement to step forward,” she added.

Dr Oyebanji commended the governor for his commitment to inclusive governance, citing the increased number of female appointments under his administration.

She, however, urged stakeholders to complement government efforts with deliberate policies and coordinated action.

The governor’s wife described CSOs as strategic partners due to their closeness to women at the grassroots through markets, community associations and faith-based centres.

She called on the groups to intensify advocacy, collaborate effectively and train women as election monitors to safeguard electoral integrity.

In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Peju Babafemi, stressed the need to dismantle structural and cultural barriers limiting women’s access to leadership positions.

Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; and the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Bolaji Olagbaju, underscored the importance of policy reforms, political education and institutional backing in empowering women.

Participants at the forum identified challenges such as limited funding, cultural stereotypes and inadequate political exposure, and proposed strengthening networks, mentorship and advocacy structures for women.

They also expressed commitment to building a more inclusive political landscape in Ekiti State where women play active roles in decision-making.