The Women International
League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), says Nigeria is the lowest in gender equality in government in Sub-Saharan Africa.
National President of the organization, Mrs Joy Ada Onyesoh, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, also placed the country at 161 out of 177 countres in the world.
Mrs Onyesoh whose address was ready by the co-ordinator of Kebetkoche Women Development and Resource Centre, Mrs Emem J. Kon said that this situation has underscored the need for the inclusion of more women in governance.
Mrs Okon said that the women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) initiated the “Team 2015 to create awareness on the critical need for women to participate in the political process at different levels.
She said that, it has become necessary for women to be at the decision and policy arena to help shape political discussions.
“Development is inherently about power and power is politics. Women need to leverage on some of the achievements we have recorded so far in Nigeria and carefully negotiated our way forward speaking with one voice and demanding accountability all the way,” she said.
Okon said that Team 2015 will continue in its quest to have equal gender representation in the political process in Nigeria adding “Nigerian governance is truly democratic, then Nigerian women deserve to speak as the giant of Africa, Nigeria needs to measure up in the scale of governance with other countries. Also speaking, a gender advocate and journalist in the state, Mrs Constance Meju, said that more women need to be encouraged to run for public offices and urged for an end to violence during elections.
Rivers State Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Com. Opaka Dokubo (right) having a handshake with Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin during a courtesy visit to the commissioner, yesterday. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson.