By Prisca Nguzo
Imo State House of Assembly has said it is ready to support the full implementation of 35 percent Affirmative Action and other national policies that would guarantee women inclusivity and gender equity in the state.
The Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Bernard Ozoemelam stated this when he received members of the Imo State Implementation Group on Women, Peace and Security, SIG_WPS, who were on an advocacy visit to his office.
Ozoemelam noted that the House has in the recent times, presented and passed motions and bills that seek to enhance women capacity development as well as promote their active participation in governance of the state.
While commending the Implementation group for the visit, the Imo lawmaker reiterated that the House's commitment to partner any organisation and group with developmental ideas and strategies that would advance the general well-being of Imo people and the state at large.
Earlier, Dr. Blessing Azubuike of the State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ifeoma Obinwa, Programme Assistant, Alliances for Africa, AfA, Hon. Uju Onwudiwe, former Assembly member, Ndidi Val-Okeoma, a human rights lawyer, Udochukwu Chukwu, social crusader, among other members of the group noted that the visit was aimed at amplifying women's voices in peace and security policy dialogues for the enforcement of the 3rd National Action Plan, NAP on UNSCR 1325 in the state.
They decried what they described as the underrepresentation of women in the political and administrative landscape of the state, adding that implementing the 35% Affirmative Action is a strategic necessity for sound leadership, adherence to democratic principles and the prosperity of the state.
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Obinwa said, "The 35% Affirmative Action principle is rooted in Nigeria’s National Gender Policy (2006). This policy recommends that women constitute at least 35% of representation in both the elective and appointive positions in the public sector to ensure adequate and equitable participation in decision-making processes.
"Globally, Nigeria is committed to several instruments, including the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 5), which advocate for equal political participation. However, despite these national and international commitments, women currently hold only about 4.2% of seats in the National Assembly."
"Nations that include women at the decision-making table are more stable, more innovative and more prosperous. This is not about women versus men. This is about Nigeria versus stagnation. It is about ensuring that the best minds, regardless of gender, are brought forward to solve the pressing challenges of our time: security, economic growth, climate change, and social cohesion,” Azubuike added.
The implementation group inaugurated early this year has representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, National Orientation Agency, NOA, National Human Rights Commission, Civil Society Organizations, traditional and religious institutions, media among others.
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