Transparency and Integrity

5/28/2021

1999 Constitution Review: Nigeria Women Demand Equal Participation in Politics

 





Women Political Participation Technical Group (WPP-TWG), Demands Equitable Women Representation in Government.

.....Request 2 Federal Constituencies To Be Occupied By Women In Each State. 



Sequel to the just concluded review of the 1999 Constitution yesterday in Owerri, a group known as  Women Political Participation Technical Group ( WPP - TWG) , has summited a memorandum requesting equitable women representation in politics in local, state and federal levels.






Addressing the journalists yesterday during a press briefing at Protea Hotels Owerri, the leader of the group Ebere Ifendu requested that government in all levels should create additional seats for women. She insisted that 35 percent women representation is not up to half to be joked with.



" We request for equitable women representation in government . That the Constitution be reviewed to provide for at least 35 percent women representation in elective and appointive offices both at local, state and federal levels . This will begin with amendment section 14 subsection 3 that prohibits predominance of person from a few states , ethnic or sectional groups in the composition of the government and it's agencies".








The communique presented by the group also requested that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should divide each state of the federation into two federal Constituencies to be occupied by women.


Furthermore, the group extended warm greetings to Senate President and his Deputy, Dr Ahmed Lawan and Senator Ovie Omo Agege recepectively for sponsoring one of the alterations of the 1999 constitution they amplified.


Adding her voice, Federal House Member Representing Isiala Mbano, Okigwe and Onuimo Federal Constituency,  Princess Miriam Onuoha , condemned the syndrome that women in politics is all about prostitution and gossiping , she affirmed that women are strong , intelligent, educated, courageous maintained that women having all these qualities will make a good different. She encouraged women not to be discouraged with challenges they face like child birth.


Princess Onuoha also said that people living with disabilities should not be disregarded but instead be given equal rights and care.





The request made by the women was also signed by other women groups in Nigeria such as Federal Ministry Of Women Affairs, Women International League For Peace and Freedom (NWTF) , 100 Women Lobby Group, CDD and Women's Aid Collective .


Other groups are , Legal Awareness For Nigerian Women Kaduna , International Women's Lawyer ( FIDA ) , Nigeria, Women's Rights Advancement and protection Alternative ( WRAPA) among others.

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