Members of a coalition of women’s organisations, Nwanyi Bu Ife Advocacy group, staged a protest to urge the legislative institution in Anambra to accord women their rightful positions with maximum security through legislation.
The protest which was part of activities to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day, was held at the State House of Assembly on Tuesday, in Awka, Anambra.
They decried low participation of women in politics and governance in Anambra.
Members of the group displayed placards with different inscriptions, like “Nigerian women matter”, “Our votes will matter in 2023”, “Give women more voices”, and “Nigeria cannot make progress without women.”
Others are, “Marriages render women stateless in Nigeria”, “Stop the subjugation of women” and “Women are half the population, 35 per cent is not too much”, among others.
Addressing journalists, the group’s spokesperson, Dr. Cordelia Uzoezie, said that the coalition planned advocacies and came up with the Anambra Women Agenda to drive the progress and development of women in the state.
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According to her, the agenda would improve women’s participation in leadership, governance and elective politics in the state.
“We are here to submit this Women Agenda to the Assembly so they can understand the problems facing women in the state and make laws to alleviate the plights of women,” she said.
Also speaking, the group’s secretary, Mr. Eucharia Anekwe, said, “We need the legislature to make laws to protect women’s rights, promote women’s inclusiveness in government, both in elected and appointed positions.
“We need legislation that will strengthen and uphold the values of equality and inclusivity that lie at the heart of democracy,” he said.
Addressing the protesters, Mrs Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, representing Onitsha South ll Constituency, lamented that women remain heavily outnumbered in both the legislative and executive arms of government considering their population.
“I am the only female in the state House of Assembly, it is unfortunate. Therefore, we need to change the narrative by ensuring that more women participate and vie for elective positions in 2023.
“I promise to continue to use my position to push for legislation that will empower and promote women inclusiveness in Anambra,” she said. (NAN)
