Group Advocates Gender-inclusive Constitution In Nigeria

By Justina Auta

Women Political Participation Partner’s Working Group, on Thursday, advocated gender-inclusive constitution to increase women’s political participation and national development.

They made the call at a coordination and strategy meeting on affirmative action reforms to increase women’s political representation in the ongoing constitution review process in Abuja.

Prof. Joy Ezeilo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), emphasised the rights of women, youths and persons with disabilities to participate and be included in governance and decision making in the country.

She said “we are so behind other countries. So, what are we talking about that we cannot operationalise 35 or 30 per cent? And we are still talking about something below?.

“Women should not accept anything below 35 per cent of political positions.

We went to Beijing in 1995 and it was agreed that at least 30 per cent affirmative action be given to us over 25 years ago.

“We have to find a way that this constitution becomes inclusive, while addressing other problems in Nigeria.

“There is also the issue of justice, fairness, equity in application of resources for the greater benefit of all Nigerians.

“So, it is time to take action to rectify these wrongs of the past and this structural inequalities and discrimination against women.”

Ezeilo, therefore, urged the 10th National Asembly to operationalise the 35 per cent affirmative action, as observed in other countries and in line with international standards, to promote equity, fairness and justice.

Ms Ebere Ifendu, the President of Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), said the meeting was to strengthen advocacies, and to effectively influence policymakers in the ongoing constitution review to promote women political participation.

She said “we need more participation of women in politics. We need quota system. We need affirmative action because for all the countries that we see have certain percentage of women in governance, it is the legislation.

“Without legislation, we may not achieve anything.”

On the national gender policy, she said: “as Nigerian women, we went to court and got judgment on the National Gender Policy.

“And we are saying that since there is judgment, we should begin work on implementation and then be able to demand for implementation of the court order.

“We heard that government has appealed. We have not received any notice of such appeal.

“So, we want to believe that what the law is, as we speak today, is that the gender policy must be respected and it’s talking about 35 per cent affirmative action.”

Mrs Ene Obi, former Country Director of ActionAid, also stressed the need to engage the legislature, media, grassroots women and other stakeholders to increase women’s political representation.

Princess Jummai-Idonije, the Director, Planning and Statistics at the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD), called for collaboration and commitment from women politicians to increase women in leadership positions. (NAN)