The Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio 91.7, Toun Sonaiya, has called on state governors to include at least one woman in the list of minister-nominees to be sent to the incoming administration.
In a recently released statement, Sonaiya said this will be in keeping with the 35 per cent affirmative action and help bridge the vacuum of low female representation in the 2023 elective positions.
She said, “Responsibility for ministerial appointments lies not only with the president-elect, Bola Tinubu but also with the governors of respective All Progressives Congress (APC) states, who are putting forward names for nomination.
“One female nomination per three nominees by governors, APC chairmen and leadership in non-APC states would translate to approximately 35 pper centin accordance with the affirmative action and bridge the vacuum created in 2023 elective positions.
“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. 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.
“Nigerian women’s groups are maintaining a strong alliance in advocating for an increase in female representation in governance at all levels. Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center is coordinating women representatives of each state to present the Nigerian Women Charter of Demand to the government of each state.
Sonaiya noted that “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 demoralising percentage of elected women senators and House of Representatives, with only three and 14, respectively.
“The ninth 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.
She, however, urged Political parties to revisit their manifestos and match their words with actions in terms of female recognition within the party, as marginalisation against women in elective positions arises internally.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
