From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has called for collaboration with relevant global organisations in advancing women’s inclusion and representation in leadership and Political Processes in Nigeria.
Country Vice President of FIDA, Nigeria, Mrs Eliana Martins made the call while declaring open a-one-day Advocacy/Town hall Meeting for Kogi West Senatorial District, held in Lokoja on Friday.
Country Vice President of FIDA, Nigeria who was represented by the Kogi State FIDA Chairperson, Oluwakemi Omeiza Usman, disclosed that the Advocacy/Town hall Meeting was put in place by FIDA in partnership with the United Kingdom International Development and United Nations Women towards Advancing Women’s Participation in Leadership and Politics.
“This gathering is also aimed at building consensus and consolidating memoranda to be presented to the constitutional reform committee during zonal public hearings
“Our focus in this meeting is to solicit support for a bill that will create reserved or special seats for women at both state and national assemblies under the proposed constitutional amendments in Nigeria
“The bill will increase women’s participation in decision making, give women the opportunity to represent themselves critically and provide diverse perspective in decision making”
Mrs Eliana Martins then called for necessary support from all quarters to ensure that the bill scale through
She also called for gender equality in the scheme of things and warned against undue marginalisation of women in any for
“Women’s rights and that of the vulnerable groups should as well be respected by government at all levels, organisations and individuals
“I therefore, encourage every participant at this forum to be actively engaged in achieving the desired goal of advancing the course of women in Nigeria”
Participants who were drawn from the Kogi State House of Assembly, Civil Society Organisations, Religious Bodies and the Media amongst others, drummed support in ensuring that the proposed bill seeking for reserved seats for women at the legislative arm of government scale through
High point of the event was paper presentation on “Unraveling women Political Participation Vis a Vis Voter turnout in Nigeria and “The need for women representation in Nigeria: The Reserved Seats Bill Prospects & Challenges”
