Renowned broadcast journalist and founder of the Purple Women Foundation, Ireti Bakare-Yusuf, has called for radical systemic reforms to dismantle patriarchal structures that fuel Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and hinder women’s political participation in Nigeria.
Speaking at the Nigeria Leadership Series Discussion hosted by the Africa Leadership Group (ALG), Bakare-Yusuf emphasized that tackling SGBV requires intentional policy actions, legal enforcement, and cultural reorientation.
She argued that unless Nigeria addresses the deep-seated patriarchal mindset embedded in governance and society, progress on gender equality will remain superficial.
“We need to move beyond lip service. The laws exist, but implementation is the problem. Perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence must face real consequences, and the government must prioritize this issue, not just in words but in action,” she asserted.
Moderated by Jumoke Akin-Taylor and hosted by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, President of ALG, the discussion centered on Politics, Patriarchy & SGBV, examining the intersection of power, gender, and societal norms in Nigeria.
Bakare-Yusuf spoke on how patriarchal dominance in governance sustains gender inequalities, making it difficult for women to attain leadership positions.
She pointed to the double standards women face in politics, where they are often scrutinized more harshly than their male counterparts.
During the conversation, she referenced the recent suspension of a female senator in Nigeria, describing it as a glaring example of how women in leadership are often undermined.
According to her, this kind of political suppression is reflective of a broader systemic issue where women are expected to conform to certain expectations or risk being silenced.
She also linked the culture of political patriarchy to the larger issue of SGBV, stating that when women’s voices are stifled at the highest levels of leadership, it sends a message that their concerns—including those on gender-based violence—are not a priority.
Addressing possible solutions, Bakare-Yusuf advocated for increased representation of women in decision-making spaces, legal accountability for gender-based crimes, and a shift in cultural attitudes that normalize male dominance.
She also touched on the EndSARS movement, drawing parallels between state oppression and the systemic oppression of women.
She argued that just as young Nigerians resisted police brutality, there must be a collective resistance against patriarchal norms that enable gender-based violence and political exclusion.
The event, part of ALG’s ongoing efforts to foster critical discussions on national issues, left attendees with a call to action: to challenge entrenched societal norms, demand policy enforcement, and actively support women’s rights in all spheres.
