A coalition of NGOs, Kukah Centre, Global Rights and House of Justice, on Monday, called for inclusive government, increased women empowerment and proactive action against security challenges in the country.
The calls were made by different speakers and participants at a town hall meeting in Sokoto, where stakeholders brainstormed on providing platform for women’s participation in governance, peace and security in northwest states.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was supported by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
In his address, the Executive Director of Kukah Centre, Atta Barkindo, said the meeting was intended to provide women the platform to voice their concerns and ventilate their grievances.
Barkindo, who was represented by Mrs Amina Jatau, the Gender and Inclusive Officer, FCDO, said the meeting focused on the impact of violent conflict on women and girls, the lack of inclusion and the continuous abuse of the rights of women across the region.
He said the effort was to enable participants to articulate strategic policy recommendations for sustainable and affirmative actions to be included in different government structures.
According to him, current statistics show that the northwest has about 49 million people, which constitutes 23 per cent of Nigeria’s total population, and about 49.2 per cent of this population are women.
He explained that the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index shows Northwest states above national average of 40.1 per cent, with Sokoto; 87.7 per cent, Jigawa; 87 per cent, Zamfara; 74 per cent, Katsina; 56 per cent, Kano; 55 per cent, Kebbi; 50 per cent, and Kaduna; 44 per cent.
He, however, said, “the region is modernising very fast, but women are left behind. The socioeconomic participation of women is barely 30 per cent and political participation is abysmal.”
The Executive Director, Productive Youths Development Initiative, Dr. Ahmed Auwal Musa, said the surge in Internally Displaced Persons and rising cases of street begging had been identified as major factors that contribute to security challenges in the country.
In his paper titled “2023 Election Atrocities in the Northwest: What We Lost and How We Can Prevent Elections Atrocities in the Region”, he cited unfavourable policies as contributor to insecurity and untimely death, especially among womenfolks.
He called on government at all levels, as well as relevant agencies to do the needful by developing an action plan to handle all forms of situations.
The District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, emphasised the need for the protection of all citizens, prioritising women and vulnerable persons in the society.
He said women and girls constitute larger percentage of the nation’s population, thereby cannot be jettisoned in any given society aiming for development.
He added that “we have many women who are victims of political violence, rape, early marriage and sexual assault.
“Many women are denied inheritance and left to cater for the family as widows while at the same time, the Northwest has produced some of the finest women as rulers and intellectuals.”
Malam Muktar Doki, the Secretary, Network of Persons Living with Disabilities, said there is need to remind policy and decision makers, traditional leaders, the clergy, student groups, civil society organisations, media institutions, and other stakeholders about inclusive governance.A cross-section of other participants blamed the security challenges and poverty in the northwest region to non-inclusion of women, persons living with disabilities, among others, in decisions making process. (NAN)