A coalition of non-governmental organisations, Gender and Constitutional Reform Network (GECORN), has appealed to the newly inaugurated governors in the South East to include women as their appointees.
The group also expressed concern over the low number of women from the region elected into national and state legislatures, saying this is not acceptable.
The Enugu West Senatorial Co-ordinator of GECORN, Mrs Nnenna Anozie, stated this on Wednesday in Enugu while presenting a Communique on the “Impact of Violence and Corruption in 2023 Elections: Gender Integrity and Accountability”.
Anozie said that the group wants the new governments in the region to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action for women, in order not to relegate them to the background.
She hinted that there are competent women to handle any political position, if given the opportunity, adding they want to be part of decision makers in the country.
The GECORN Co-ordinator then urged the incoming 10th National Assembly (NASS) to pass the five gender bills, which were rejected by the current NASS during the 1999 Constitution amendment.
“We will make deliberate and concerted efforts as stakeholders and actors to improve the economic status of women through education and empowerment of all women both at the grassroots and apex level.
“Through sensitisation, we will encourage conscious youth involvement in the democratic and governance processes and support the training of women in politics with the right leadership skills to enable them compete favourably in the political space.
“Also, we will support actions that promote mentorship of younger women in politics and leadership and participate in advocacy for inclusion of women and girls with disability in governance, leadership and every aspect of the society.
“We will partner with religious and traditional rulers/leaders to push for women’s inclusion and participation in the democratic process.
“GECORN works towards engendering the constitution and promoting gender democracy. It has organizational structures in 36 states of Nigeria and is being managed by zonal and state coordinators,” Anozie said.
On her part, the Enugu North Senatorial Co-ordinator of GECORN, Mrs Rita Ugwu, regretted that women in the state are not effectively carried along in political and decision-making processes.
While stressing that there are women for inclusion in governance and decision-making, Ugwu pointed out that women want to be part of it, especially in occupying strategic positions.
She asked the Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah, to include women of capacity in his cabinet.
The Communication Officer, Women Aid Collectives (WACOL), Mrs. Blessing Egodi, called for a holistic implementation of the 2022 Electoral Act, which she believes would provide level-playing ground for women interested in politics.
She observed that the number elected women in the last administration was more than those elected now, and said those in the last government did not perform badly.
The WACOL Communication Officer maintained that women have to be represented at the decision-making table, considering the enormous roles they played during the electioneering campaign.
