The Nigerian Senate has suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan after she accused its presiding officer of sexual harassment. In Nigeria, only four percent of parliamentarians are women – the lowest number in Africa. According to NAI researcher Shingirai Mtero it is common in male dominated institutions that women who stand up for their rights are punished.
“It signals to other women that politics is a man’s world and perhaps they should put their aspirations elsewhere.” The hostile environment has also caused a problem with retaining women in parliament, as they often only serve one term.