The National Women Leader of the Labour Party, Mrs Dudu Manuga, has pleaded with Nigerians especially male politicians, to stop seeing female politicians as sex objects and labeling them promiscuous.

This is even as she decried the rising cases of physical and emotional violence against women.

She said this at an event organised to Commemorate the 2024 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls, held at the National headquarters of the Labour Party in Abuja, yesterday.

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The Women Leader charged the women particularly those in politics not to be intimidated by the emotional and psychological violence perpetrated against them by their male counterparts just to frustrate them out of political engagement.

She said, “Today, we are commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls. Secondly, it is the beginning of what we call the Orange Campaign, which is the 16 days activities against gender-based violence.

“Violence against women is something that is so prevalent these days. It is not just down to the issue of rape and sexual assault. There is the problem of harassment, intimidation and all kind of things that also happen in office environment too.

“Again, violence is what women in politics, like us experience at different levels. It is so bad that sometimes when you attempt to buy forms in your constituency, it is not unusual to hear things like ‘Don’t go there. It is a position for a man.’ That alone is emotional and psychological violence because it puts you in a state of mind where you become perpetually worried.

“Some of our women also face cyber stalking and intimidation from those who should know better in the cyber space. There are certain people who still regard women in politics as prostitutes. It has become a common narrative in this country.

“Some perceived female politicians as loose and promiscuous women. But it is not true. There are times we are even attacked directly in political arena during heated debates and they then end it with ‘Who are you? You people are just prostitutes.’

“Though we can’t rule out the fact that there may be compromise in some cases, it is unfair to label all women in politics as loose persons, especially coming back from late political engagements.

“So, we are here to talk about safety and security for women in politics. They say prevention is better than cure. We need to know what to do and how to do it to prevent falling victim of violence.

“We need to be observant in every situation we find ourselves in politics so we can tell when the atmosphere is changing. We should also look out for signs like people looking or pointing at us and decide when to quietly leave the place.

“To fight violence, we must seek ways to protect ourselves. We also need to have phone numbers of relatives, security operatives, party leaders or loved ones we can call immediately.”

Hundreds of women, particularly Labour Party members were present at the occasion.