Stakeholders converged on Abuja today to canvass more support for the enactment into law of the WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIVE OFFICES SUPPORT BILL 2018.
Speaking at the meeting, Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Tony Ojukwu who explained that the bill when enacted into law will enhance the participation of women in the political process in Nigeria as well as ensure gender equality and representation is well entrenched in the manifestos and respective constitutions of political parties in line with international human rights norms and tenets.
“the enactment of this bill into law will lead to the achievement of goal 5 of the sustainable development goal(SDG) that seeks among others, to strengthen sound policies and empowerment of all women and girls at all levels thereby leaving no one behind in the enjoyment of civil and political rights in Nigeria” Ojukwu said.
UNDP representative, at the meeting, Onyinye Ndubuisi who decried the continuous disenfranchisement of women seeking elective positions in Nigeria as witnessed during the recent political parties primaries in the build up to the 2019 polls pledged the UNDP’s commitment to support efforts to ensure women’s empowerment in all spheres of life to get to the top.
Lead consultant on the bill, and right activist, Professor Joy Ezeilo said it will be an honor for the members of this 8th National Assembly to pass the bill as it will impact greatly on the masses especially the Women in the area of economic empowerment.
Professor Ezeilo appealed to all stakeholders to rise up to the task at hand in ensuring the speedy passage of the bill.
In a goodwill message the Norwegian Embassy Representative, Ingrid Skjloss emphasized that women’s participation in politics is a fundamental right that leads to economic growth, pointing out that 12 percent of Parliamentary Candidates for the forth coming elections on the 16th of February 2019 are Female, she therefore appealed to Nigerians to ensure they are voted in to start the desired change in 2019.
The WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN ELECTIVE OFFICE SUPPORT BILL 2018 which prescribes Women quota for elections into the Senate, House of Representatives, State Houses of Assembly and Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory to support and increase Women Participation and Representation in certain elective offices has reached it second reading.