74 Special Seats:NAWOJ, Women Group Storm Kebbi To Canvas For Support
From Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi
League of Women Voters in Nigeria in, a non governmental organisation, (NGO) in collaboration with the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), last weekend flag off it’s campaign in Kebbi State to create more awareness on the need for more inclusive and representative democracy where women voices could be heard and their interests represented.
Chairperson of the Association, in Kebbi State, Blessing Michael Onyeanobi expressed that the purpose of the campaign is to mobilize support for the 74 Special Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly seeking for an increase in women representation in governance by allocating special seats in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
She averred that by supporting the bill, they can promote gender equality, empower women to participate in politics and create a more inclusive and representative democracy.
While commending the wife of the state Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasir Idris for her support to the campaign, the Chairperson urged, all stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders and women groups, to join hands in advocating for the important legislation.
The Chairman of the occasion, Kebbi State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed BK, advised that, women participation in governance and politics should be base on merit as some of the women in governance have failed the nation.
The Wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Hajiya Zainab Nasir Idris, represented by the former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajiya Rafa’atu Garba Hamman, stated that, women representative in governance and politics should be base on good attitude of the woman.
She said, only women with dignity and respect in the society are those to be inculcated into governance and politics not those that are irresponsible in the society.
The campaign witness the attendance of various women groups, civil society organisations, faith base groups and the organized labour union and also papers were presented on Women Rights and Inclusion in Politics and Governance in Nigeria and the Role of Women in Politics and Governance in Nigeria.
