Constitution: Women group seeks inclusive governance
Women Political Participation Technical Working Group (WPP-TWG) has advocated the review of the 1999 Constitution to accommodate more women in the governance of the country.
The position of the women was presented during the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Amendment organised by the National Assembly.
Mrs Glory Ekaso, Director, National Issues/Welfare, WPP-TWG, said this while briefing newsmen in Uyo on Thursday.
The event was held to intimate the public on the women’s position as presented during the just concluded constitution amendment committee hearings.
Ekaso said that the WPP-TWG comprised 26 women groups across the country with a common mission to ensure equitable representation in government.
She said women political representation in the 2019 elections was negligible compared to their population in the country.
Ekaso said there was a need to amend some sections of the Constitution to accommodate at least 35 per cent representation.
“Female political representation in the 2019 elections was negligible relative to approximately half of the population they constitute.
“Of the 2, 970 female candidates (11.36 per cent), only 70 got elected, a mere 4. 71 per cent of elected officials.
“This figure represents a decline from the 2015 period, where women formed 5.65 percent of elected officials.
“Masculine languages are gender biased and undermine women and girls’ political participation, which further hinder inclusive governance in Nigeria.
“Ensure equitable women representation in government, through at least 35 per cent women representation in appointive offices at the federal and state levels.
“This will begin with amendment of Section 14 Sub (3) that prohibits predominance of persons from few states, ethnic or sectional groups in the composition of the government and its agencies to also introduce a prohibition of prominence of any sex in the composition of agencies,” she said.
Ekaso also called for the inclusion of gender as a benchmark for federal character and creation oqf additional special seats for women in the federal and state legislative houses.
She noted that these measures would enhance inclusive governance that the WPP-TWG was earnestly yearning for.
