INEC IN IMO NOT HAPPY WITH NONCHALANT ATTITUDE OF WOMEN TO POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA

INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo State, Professor Francis Ezeonu has expressed dismay over what he described as nonchalant attitude of women to political activities in the area.

He expressed the view at a one day sensitization held in Owerri, on mitigating violence against women in the electoral process.

Professor Ezeonu said despite efforts at mobilising women to brainstorm on the way forward for gender balance and equal participation in governance, only few of them showed interest in the exercise.

He however stated that INEC would continue to encourage Nigerians to participate in the electoral process to ensure that only credible leaders emerged during the polls.

The Head, Voter Education and Publicity in the State, Mr. Sunday Adedoyin described violence against women as an infringement on human rights which was inimical to democracy.

Mr Adedoyin urged women to raise their voice against violence and participate actively in the electoral process rather than lamentation of marginalisation.

One on the participants in the programme, Mrs Stella Osu Osuigwe attributed the lack of interest on ignorance and inferiority complex amongst women.

She advocated more enlightenment of women to enable them to come out of their shells.

Other women who spoke at the event appealed to security agencies to step up campaign against violence to make the political climate more conducive.

CHINAZO ILECHUKWU