Democracy Day: NAWOJ Tasks President Tinubu On Gender Inclusion In Leadership Of NASS
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), has noted with concern that the lack of inclusion in governance and political participation over the years remains a weak link in the core values of democracy in the country.
It further said that the development was certainly not part of a true reflection of the Nigeria democratic dream.
NAWOJ therefore tasked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as part of a deliberate and conscious efforts aimed at addressing the gap, ensure that gender balancing and equitable development and fairness in the allocation of ‘who gets what and how’ in the nation’s democracy, by appointing a female as the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives is guaranteed.
These were contained in a statement by the NAWOJ President, Comrade Ladi Bala, in which the Association noted that the lack of inclusion in governance and political participation over the years remains a weak link in the core values of democracy and this was not part of a true reflection of the Nigeria democratic dream.
NAWOJ specifically said that the underrepresentation of women in the 10th National Assembly is a serious setback that requires deliberate action, adding that the time to set in motion the strategy for changing the narrative of underrepresentation of women at the National Assembly is now.
In the words of Bala; “As it stands today, the 10th National Assembly is not gender friendly as it lacks balance with only 17 women representation out of 469 members of both chambers, stressing that the development is so sad and worrisome as it does not reflect the diversity of the Nigeria society in any form.
“The spirit of patriotism and building confidence of women who are always active participants in the political process should encourage stakeholders and members of the National Assembly to consider and allow a female legislator to emerge as Deputy Speaker in order to give the gender requirement that promote inclusion.
“Let’s right the wrong and make history in the eyes of global community starting with the election of a female into principal position of the 10th National Assembly,” she said.
NAWOJ noted that gender diversity in leadership, fosters innovation and better governance, stressing that until the issue of women inclusion in leadership and governance are given priority in the new administration, the nation’s democracy can at best be described as hypocrisy as the hope of Nigeria women would be dashed once again.
It however, noted that while Nigeria and Nigerians should be commended for brazing the odds to ensure that sustainable democracy is entrenched, their resilience for a guaranteed and uninterrupted successive democratic administration since return to democracy in 1999 also deserved applause.
The Association noted that the gains of the nation’s democratic experience are enormous and worthy of celebrating by all, adding that most significantly, is the collective resolve by most Nigerians that democracy as a system of government with its ideals and ethos which are being poorly adhered to by political leaders and stakeholders thus, creating gaps in the nation’s political space.
Towards this end, NAWOJ called on the President Tinubu to make do his campaign promises of ensuring inclusion in all strata of governance by including Nigeria women who constitute over 49 per cent of the nation’s population.
It said that democracy has come not only to stay but is effectively defining the nation’s political landscape and roadmaps to greatness and development.
