From Ifeoma Ejiofor, Awka
Nwanyi Bu Ife Advocacy group, a coalition of women organisations has decried low participation of women in politics and governance in Anambra State.
The women group which made their position known during a peaceful protest at the State House of Assembly in Awka, displayed placards with different inscriptions as, “Nigerian women matter and their votes will count in 2023”, “Give women more Voice”, “Nigeria cannot make progress without women, ”
“Marriages render women stateless in Nigeria”, “Stop the subjugation of women” and “Women are half the population, 35 per cent is not too much” among others.
Addressing newsmen, the group’s spokesperson, Dr Cordelia Uzoezie, said they were at the Assembly to submit the Women Agenda for the lawmakers to appreciate the problems facing women in the state and make laws to alleviate their plights.
She said, “We planned strategic advocacies and came up with the Anambra Women Agenda to drive the progress and development of women in the state.
“The agenda will improve women’s participation in leadership, governance and elective politics in the state.
Also speaking, the group’s secretary, Anekwe Eucharia Ijeoma said, “We need the legislature to make laws to protect women’s rights, promote women inclusiveness in government, both in elected and appointed positions.
“We need legislations that will strengthen and uphold the values of equality and inclusivity that lie at the heart of democracy.”
The lawmaker representing Onitsha South ll Constituency and a member of the House Committee on Gender, Mrs Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, who addressed the protesters regretted the outnumbering of women in both the legislative and executive arms of government despite their population.
“I’m the only female in the state House of Assembly, it is unfortunate, therefore, we need to change the narrative by ensuring that more women participate and vye for elective positions come 2023.
“I promise to continue to use my position to push for legislations that will empower and promote women inclusiveness in Anambra,” she said
