By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has assured of inclusion of substantial representation of women in critical decision-making facets of his administration.
Alia stated this at a stakeholders consultation on women inclusion and effective Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) organised by the Nigeria League of Women Voters (NILOWV) with support from Palladium and USAID-Scale on Friday in Makurdi.
Represented by the Director-General (DG) on International Cooperation and Development, Mr Leo Viashima, Alia said that he was acutely aware of the manifold advantages that the state could reap from a more equitable representation of women within his
governance structures.
“It is an undeniable fact that the incidence of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) can be significantly reduced when we empower capable and
dedicated women to occupy key positions in our government,” Alia said.
He further disclosed that his administration was expeditiously working to address the immediate and pressing need for the establishment of family courts in the state.
“We welcome your invaluable inputs and insights through the international Cooperation and Development Coordinating Unit, as this
process unfolds.
“I also wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for the invaluable
contributions of our development partners who have steadfastly
supported our development initiatives in the state,” he said.
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He also acknowledged NILOWV and
Palladium, in collaboration with the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), for their unwavering commitment
to the SCALE Project, which had facilitated the crucial consultative
engagement.
Also, the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Lamin Danladi, Benue State House of Assembly, disclosed that she became a member of the assembly and subsequently the deputy speaker due largely to the efforts, awareness, resource mobilisation and demands for women inclusion in political leadership and decision making by the Civil Society Organisations and development partners.
Danladi promised to use her position to champion and push for legislation that would yield the desired gender or women transformative change.
“I believe that gender and transformative change are pathways to address injustices and violent acts meted to women such as SGBV,” she said.
