The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative project, has advocated for more recognition of women and sectoral empowerments in the Nigerian constitution.
Addressing a news conference on behalf of the coalition in Sokoto on Saturday, Mr Abdulganiyu Abubakar, the Chief Executive Officer of Save The Child Initiative (STCI), commended the National Assembly on the public hearing and collection of submissions toward repealing some laws in the country’s constitution.
Abubakar said that the coalition, working under pillar six of the spotlight project, demanded for gender inclusion in the constitution as benchmark for federal character, as well as domestication of all international laws protecting women’s rights which Nigeria was signatory to.
He highlighted 10 points that included gender sensitivity language, consciousness in gender equity and equal opportunities, social economic rights, citizenships and human dignity.
Other areas were right to private and family life, non discrimination, twining in government for political participation, special seats for women in parliament, as well as special measures in all elective and appointive positions at all government levels.
He called for gender neutral and sensitive language in the constitution and equitable women representation through at least 35 per cent women representation in appointive positions.
He added “we believe a legitimate constitution is expected to take due account of the sociocultural and socioeconomic realities of its country.
“Constitution should also reflect the positive values of culture to guarantee the wellbeing of the society as a whole and social progress toward safeguarding social harmony.
“To be able to achieve this, it is expected that such constitution should guarantee gender equality and strongly uphold the principle of equity in all sectors.”
The STCI boss, therefore, called for the creation of additional special seats for women at the federal and state legislative houses.
He said “”to ensure equitable women in government, it is important the constitution is reviewed to provide for at least 35 per cent women representation in appointive offices at the federal and state levels.
“Women are not afraid to participate in politics but so many factors hinder them, including finance and sociocultural factors.
“Women in politics are not idle, layabouts, wayward or prostitutes, they are all responsible, very qualified and accomplished women.
“We made the submissions because we need to amend the constitution to suit the needs of the time; every constitution is a work in process, not cast in stone.
“There is need to put an end to issues bedevilling the constitution, especially this gender mainstreaming.
“We want gender parity to tackle issues that bother both sexes, while protecting the vulnerable such as those living with disabilities,” he said. (NAN)
