International Day of Democracy: A Call for Emergency Action Towards Democracy

Press Release

Democracy day celebration remains an indelible milestone for every country. It rekindles the continuous push for democratic tenets which prioritizes citizens’ engagement and choices for good governance

The celebration of the International Day of Democracy marked every September 15^th, was established through a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly in 2007 to encourage governments in consolidating and strengthening democracy globally.

Democracy ensures that the inalienable rights of people are protected and consists of four key elements – a political system, for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections, the active participation of the people as citizens in politics and civic life, protection of the human rights of all citizens and rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens, rather than being controlled by a government over whom they have no right of dissent, election or protest.

In Nigeria especially, the rights of all citizens to enjoy equal participation in the democratic process is yet to deliver the desired dividends in terms of rapid socio-economic and political results for over 19 years of the practice of democracy in the country.

Our political system has been fraught with unbridled corruption, gender disparity, growing incidences of violence, the marginalization of socially and economically backward people, lack of justice system, social exclusion, inability to support women in politics and its attendant systemic inequalities, non-implementation and enforcement of legal instruments that improves women’s right.

As a feminist organization, we are deeply saddened by these actions that clearly go against the ideals of democracy. It requires a strong and ongoing commitment from political actors to consolidate and deepen democracy as a sign of respect to fundamental human rights of citizens whom they serve.

• Our concern is a democratic government that is free, fair and inclusive.
• We are particularly keen to see greater participation in politics from under-represented groups, including women, young people and people with disabilities.
• We direly want the full implementation and enforcement of all legal instruments that protects women and eradicate all forms of obnoxious practices and norms inhibiting women’s right of place in the society.
• We want more women in politics and the representation of disadvantaged groups.
• We want to see a government that is transparent, accountable, responsive, upholds the rule of law, protect and respect international standards and basic principles of legality, right to justice, remedies and due process.
• A government that allows for amplified voices of citizens, dialogue and political tolerance.
• We want a nation that has adopted emergency measures to address crisis and allow for equal access to health care and opportunities.

AfA stands on her mission to advance, monitor, promote, and protect human rights, peace and sustainable development initiatives of our communities. We, hereby implore the government at all levels to as a matter of urgency, change this leadership deficit trajectory in order to breed young political leaders, armed with a global mental picture and driven by knowledge of how Nigeria should be.