Women, Power, and the Politics of Representation with Ibijoke Faborode

Description

In this episode of Women Unlimited, Arese speaks with Ibijoke Faborode, founder of ElectHER, about women’s political representation and why power, policy, and participation cannot be separated. They discuss what it really means for women to be present in political decision-making, the policy gaps that continue to affect women’s lives, and why representation at legislative and executive levels matters for long-term change. The conversation explores how political systems work, the barriers women face when entering public office, and the structural changes needed to build more inclusive and effective governance. This episode is for women who are thinking beyond visibility and asking deeper questions about power, policy, and who gets to shape the rules that govern society. 00:00 Welcome to Women Unlimited with Arese Ugwu 00:35 Meet Ibijoke Faborode, Founder of ElectHER 02:00 Why ElectHER Is Building Women’s Political Power in Africa 05:00 Why Nigeria’s Political System Wasn’t Designed for Women 13:30 How ElectHER Supports Women to Run and Win Elections 22:30 The Cost of Excluding Women From Political Leadership 32:00 Token Representation vs Meaningful Political Power 36:00 Building a Pipeline of Women Leaders in Nigeria 50:00 The Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Situation and the Double Standard for Women 1:22:00 Independent Candidacy, Quotas and Policy Reform for Women 1:40:00 Why Women Need Economic Power to Back Women Candidates 1:47:00 Lara Unlimited: Women, Ambition and Workplace Double Standards