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The International Federation Of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria, has reiterated calls for stronger encouragement of women’s active participation in leadership and political processes in Nigeria. The call was made during an Advocacy And Town Hall Meeting held recently in Awka, the Anambra State capital, as part of efforts to galvanize consensus and consolidation of memoranda to be presented to the Constitutional Reform Committee during zonal public hearings.
In her welcome address during the Advocacy And Town Hall Meeting tagged: “He For She” , the Country Vice President of FIDA, represented by the Anambra State Chapter Chairperson, Amara Mojekwe, noted that the essence of the event was to strengthen advocacy and partnerships through strategic alliances, amongst relevant stakeholders towards pressing for inclusion of reserved seats for Nigerian women in the constitution amendment process. She further underscored the need for increased public awareness and support through the citizens’ engagement bill as well as aggregating citizens advocacy demands while securing lawmakers’ commitments for smooth passage of the reserved seats for bill. Mojekwe said women alone cannot achieve the task of gender inclusion without the full support of the men.
Also speaking during the meeting, Ezenwa Obiajunwa of FIDA, decried the abysmal level of women inclusion in both appointive and elective positions in Nigeria, while stressing that giving women reserved seats in the National and State Assemblies will go a long way in deepening democracy and good governance. According to her , FIDA is targeting creation of extra 37 more seats in the Senate and 77 in the house of representatives, as well as more in State Houses of Assembly for women. She called for massive support of Men who dominate the political landscape in Nigeria, to ensure that women are adequately included in decision making at every level of government in the country. Men supporting Women was the idea behind the “He For She” title given to the Advocacy And Town Hall Meeting, she remarked.
A prominent traditional ruler and Igwe of Ifitedunu, Igwe Dr Emeka Iluno, stressed the need for women to be actively involved in leadership in Nigeria, revealing that there are women in his cabinet.According to the revered traditional ruler, “women are naturally progressive but some cultural and religious restrictions affect them negatively in several parts of the country”. He called on Nigerians to take a cue from other countries where women occupy top positions in government, for adequate social development.
On his part, Prince Chris Azor, Chairman of Anambra State Civil Society Network, appreciated FIDA for putting up the He For She Advocacy And Town Hall Meeting nothing that it will go a long way in awakening and mobilizing women for action that will guarantee their increased participation in leadership in Nigeria. He pledged the commitment of Anambra State Civil Society Network to continuously partner with FIDA in the project targeted at Advancing Women’s Inclusion And Representation In Leadership And Political Processes In Nigeria.
Participants at the Advocacy And Town Hall Meeting were drawn from the Civil Society organizations, Traditional Rulers, Religious leaders, Journalists, Legal Practitioners, as well as government representatives.
by Chinedu Madu,
Radio Nigeria Purity FM Awka.
