*urges Political Parties to give Women equal opportunities
By Ignatius Okorocha
The Senate on Tuesday advocated gender parity as a priority for women in the amendment of the Constitution.
The position of the upper chamber was conveyed on Thursday when it adopted a six-point resolution sequel to the consideration of a motion on the 2020 International Women’s Day with the theme: “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.”
The motion which was sponsored by Senator Betty Apiafi (PDP – Rivers West) was Co-sponsored by eight other female Senators in the Ninth Assembly.
Senator Apiafi, in her motion, said that the International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8 annually, and is a day set aside to globally celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
According to the lawmaker, the day seeks to celebrate women’s contributions to society and raise awareness about the fight for gender parity.
She noted that the International Women’s Day was first officially recognized in 1911, and later recognized by the United Nations in 1975.
The lawmaker said in 1975, during the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, over 189 countries converged in Beijing, China for the 4th World Conference on Women and signed an action plan tagged “Beijing Declaration.”
According to her, some of the declarations agreed by all governments that participated in the conference included: Advancing the goals of equality, development and peace for all women everywhere in the interest of all humanity.
Apiafi, however observed that, “in spite of the Beijing Declaration and 10 year to the end of the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality has recorded little growth, most women and girls experience multiple forms of violence at home and in the public sphere.”
She’s lamented that, “underaged and forced marriages are still rampant in our nation, trafficking of women and girls for sexual and other types of exploitation’s are still prevalent.
“Women still have fewer choices of work and are still paid less than their male counterparts. Female representation as agricultural landlords is still very low. Women are not allowed to achieve their full potentials in political, boardroom and executive positions.”
She advised that, “it is incumbent on all Nigerians to work assiduously to ensure that women and children are free from all forms of violence and are placed on a pedestal to attain their full potentials by joining the campaign #EachForEqual.”
The Senate, in its resolutions, while celebrating Nigerian women and girls, urged registered political parties in the country to make it a policy to give women equal opportunities in all elective and appointive positions.
The upper chamber also urged employers of Labour and Corporate Organizations to give women equal opportunities to allow women achieve their true potentials.
