Nigeria, July 18 -- In the build-up of the 2019 general elections, there were fears that the number of women elected into public offices may not increase significantly.

The outcome of the elections justified the fears.

Analyses that were done prior to previous elections also predicted low representation for women, which were also justified by the results.

Since 1999 when Nigeria transitioned from military rule to democratic rule, women are yet to occupy up to 50 per cent of elective positions. This is despite the fact that the voting population of both men and women are almost equal.

One factor that was, however, consistent before, during and after the last general elections, is the clamour for better representation of women in the po...