…decries low representation of women in parliament
The Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio 91.7 FM and activist, Mrs. Toun Okewale Sonaiya, has urged the President-elect Bola Tinubu and the 36 governors across the country to submit names of deserving women for ministerial appointments to the incoming administration.
She noted that as much as Tinubu would be at the helm of affairs, the buck still stops on the table of governors in the 35 states of the federation to forward women’s names for appointments.
Sonaiya in a statement she signed on Monday, urged the All Progressives Congress governors to nominate at least one woman among their three nominees for Tinubu.
According to her, one female nomination per three nominees by governors, the APC chairmen and leadership in non-APC states would translate to approximately 35% in accordance with the Affirmative Action and bridge the vacuum created in the 2023 elective positions.
She said, “Competent and capable women politicians and female technocrats hail from all Nigerian states and every man and woman should play a part in rebuilding the socio-economic fabric of our beloved country.
Only when men and women lead together can Nigeria progress
“While our men are great nation-builders, they require the support and input of women. Only when men and women lead together can Nigeria progress.
“Despite increased lobbying and advocacy for gender balance and female inclusion in politics in the last three years, the just-concluded 2023 elections saw the lowest and most demoralizing percentage of elected women senators and House of Representatives, with only three and 14, respectively.
“The 9th National Assembly rejected the passage of the five gender bills, failing Nigerian women. Nigerian women are hopeful that the 10th National Assembly will pass the bills for Nigeria’s development.”
Sonaiya added, “Political parties must revisit their manifestos and match their words with actions in terms of female recognition within the party, as marginalization against women in elective positions arises internally.
Political parties must revisit their manifestos and match their words with actions in terms of female recognition
“I hope that our amiable governors will raise the stakes of our polity for the sake of the great Republic of Nigeria and that the incoming administration will both uphold the demands of women as promised and write its name in the books of Nigerian history in good standing.”
