Women task Tinubu on affirmative action

A coalition of women’s organisations has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to match words with actions in mainstreaming women into politics and also into his administration.

They made the demands during the formal launch of #WhatNaijaWomenWant, organised by Gatefield International Nigeria, Dorothy Njemanze Foundation, and Heinrich Boll Stiftung Foundation weekend in Abuja.

They urged President Tinubu to ensure that the government commits to greater representation of women in policies: ensure better policies that affect women and for policymakers to make gender-inclusive policies.

Special Initiatives Lead at Gatefield, Ms. Joy Una, said that recognising the crucial role women play in the nation’s development, entails the need for policies that address women’s unique needs and empower them to thrive.

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“Nigerian women, who constitute nearly half the population, remain underrepresented in politics and policymaking. This lack of representation has resulted in policies that fail to adequately address the distinct challenges faced by women,” she said.

Jochen Luckscheiter, Director, of Heinrich Boll Stiftung Foundation said that women’s participation in politics has been in a downward spiral since 2011.

She said, “In politics, there is 20% less women participation in 2023. The five gender bills which will forward the rights of women were thrown out by the National Assembly.”

Also, Hon. Princess Onuoha, Okigwe North Federal Constituency and Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on TETFUND, represented by Chidimman Ibezim, said, “TETFUND data shows that women are highly underrepresented in decision-making in Nigeria. Women’s political participation brings tangible gains.

Deputy Director of Research, National Human Rights Commission, Mrs Ngozi Okorie, said that women in policy making is a very strong issue of concern. She said, “Women’s political participation is beyond political aspiration.