DEC DEMANDS POLICY STATEMENT ON WOMEN INCLUSION IN GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

REPORTER: CHUKWUBUIKE MADU

Political parties, communities and every government in power are urged to make a policy statement that will include women in their governance structures to guarantee gender party in the society.

The Executive Director, Development Education Centre, DEC, Enugu, Mrs. Cecilia Asogwa, Made this known at a two day workshop for women from some South-East and North Central States to mark the 2022 International women’s Day.

For many years now, especially after the 1995 Beijing Conference, women have been making efforts to be heard and to participate fully in governance in Nigeria as they demand for the implementation of 35% affirmative action.

One of the leading voices in that demand is a women based non-governmental organisation known as Development Education Centre (DEC) Enugu.

At the DEC workshopto mark the International Women’s Day, women from the South East States of Enugu, Abia, Imo and Ebonyi as well as the North Central States of Kogi and Benue converged to share experiences, and brainstorm on how to advance their course in their respective communities.

The Executive Director of DEC, Dr. Cecilia Asogwa, called on political parties and government at all levels, to make it a policy that women must be included in their decision making and be given positions of authority.

“The fact remains that without a policy statement on the issue of Gender Parity and Empowerment in the agenda or programmes of the government, non-governmental, political party or faith-based organisation, it will still be an illusion to attain Gender Equality for sustainable development, today or in the near future.

“I call again on all political parties in Nigeria, the Governors and the President to have it as a Policy Statement that a percentage of women shall be in all governance structures in Nigeria. It can be done if you have the Political Will,” the DEC boss stated.

Dr. Asogwa, who noted that DEC had stood for women’s right and empowerment in rural communities for more than 35 years, said her organisation had on an annual basis provided micro credit for 1,000 women, skills acquisition for unskilled female youth and scholarship that revived academic interest of female youths, who dropped out of school.

DEC had also helped to improve health care services in some rural areas but Dr. Asogwa insisted that community leaders must sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to include women in their administrative structure before DEC would come in for intervention programmes in such communities.

“It is the major Policy of this Non-governmental organisation that for DEC to partner your community in the 4 major areas of her intervention/programmes, the community stakeholders shall adhere to this policy based on our MOU,” she insisted.

Meanwhile, she commended the leadership of over 30 communities where DEC had been carrying out intervention programmes.

“DEC Enugu is also happy to acknowledge the cooperations of traditional rulers and other custodians of tradition and culture in more than 30 partner communities working with DEC, Enugu.

“These communities have recognised and instituted women in their community governance structures, especially in the traditional rulers’ council, town development union, local neighbourhood watch groups where some occupy the posts of treasurers, financial Secretary and Vice P.Gs,” Dr. Asogwa stated with joy.

Some women including, Mrs. Felicia Chukwu from Ama-Ekwuru Lokpanta, Umunochi Local Government Area of Abia State; Ichie Joy Eze from Ichi, Igboeze South Local Government Area of Enugu State; and Amina Siedu Agbonika from Ogbogbo Community, Igala Mela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, testified that with the intervention of DEC, women now sit in their traditional ruler’s cabinet and most harmful traditional practices against women had been addressed.

They commended DEC for the exposure and constant sensitisation that helped to make them to be regarded in the scheme of things in their communities.

They urged other communities to join the DEC team to guarantee the libration of their women from the shackles of poverty, ignorance and under representation in family and community affairs.