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A women advocacy group, Nigerian Feminist Forum (NFF), has called on the 18 registered political parties in Nigeria to reserve 40 per cent of their executive positions for women.
The group also called on the parties to present female candidates in the 2023 general election.
It unfolded its position during a press conference on Monday in Abuja where it highlighted the merits and demerits of women exclusion and exploitation by their male counterparts.
This is coming at a time that the advocacy group feels that the women in Nigeria are being subjected to inhuman treatment and not given enough space to contribute to national development
NFF Communications Officer, Angela Nkwo, stated that the group demands for 40 per cent quota in all the 18 registered political parties
“The NFF calls for a 40 per cent quota system strictly for women across the 18 accredited political parties for the 2023 general elections.
“We demand female inclusion urgently, and adoption of gender equality across all spheres in Nigeria
“We demand that women be fielded as governorship candidates especially the supposed big controlling parties. All political parties make women their national chairpersons, especially the top-rated.
This will help address the violence and patriarchy women experience in political parties,” she said.
Nkwo called on governments at the federal and state levels to respect the rights of women and children.
According to her, “the NFF demands for respect of women and girls, economic and social welfare rights, sexual health and reproductive right, right to education and training, and right to participation in political and decision-making processes.”
Others are marriage, separation, divorce and women’s property rights, and domestication of the Maputo Protocol.
She said although government has done well in areas such as adoption of a Gender Policy in 2007, establishment of women development centres in Nigeria’s 36 states adoption of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act; establishment of a National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, adoption of a National Policy on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health and female genital mutilation.
She said, ahead of the 2023 general elections, the NFF is concerned about the lack of representation of women and girls in every facet of the country, despite the fact that we form almost half of the population, we are not heard! And called called on women to come out; do voter registration and to also participate in the 2023 general election.”
Nkwo lamented the poor representation by women, adding that out of 109 members in the Senate, only seven are women while 11 women are in the House of Representatives.
“The NFF is worried at the rising number of women and girls in internally displaced persons camps across Nigeria as a result of insurgency and banditry,” she added
She called on the 36 states houses of assembly to immediately pass the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) bill into law to protect the rights of every person, women and girls inclusive.
Nkwo blamed the inequality on the society that places the woman at a disadvantaged position.
