…Women alone can not achieve the task of gender inclusion – FIDA
The International Federation Of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Nigeria has restated calls for stronger encouragement of women active participation in leadership and political processes in Nigeria, iNews Times reports.
The call was made during an Advocacy And Town Hall Meeting in Awka, Anambra as part of efforts to galvanize consensus and consolidation of memoranda to be presented to the Constitutional Reform Committee during zonal public hearings.
Speaking during the meeting tagged: “He For She”, Country Vice President of FIDA, Eliana Martins said the event was to strengthen advocacy and partnerships through strategic alliances, among relevant stakeholders towards pressing for inclusion of reserved seats for Nigerian women in the constitution amendment process.
Eliana, represented by Anambra State Chapter Chairperson, Amara Mojekwe, underscored the need for increased public awareness and support through the citizens’ engagement bill.
She said women alone could not achieve the task of gender inclusion without the full support of the men.
“There’s also need for aggregating citizens advocacy demands while securing lawmakers’ commitments for smooth passage of the reserved seats for bill,” she added.
Also speaking, Manager, Administration and Human Resources, Ezinwa Eberechukwu decried the abysmal level of women inclusion in both appointive and elective positions in Nigeria.
According to her, giving women reserved seats in the National and State Assemblies would go a long way in deepening democracy and good governance.
“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 added.
Ezinwa further called for massive support of men who dominate the political landscape in Nigeria, to ensure women were 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.
He called on Nigerians to borrow a leaf from other countries where women occupy top positions in government, for adequate social development.
“Women are naturally progressive but some cultural and religious restrictions affect them negatively in several parts of the country,” he stressed.
Chairman, Anambra State Civil Society Network, Prince Chris Azor appreciated FIDA for the meeting which he said would further awaken and mobilize women for action for increased participation in leadership in Nigeria.
He pledged his group’s continuous partnership with FIDA in projects 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.
