The Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and Security agencies to put in place more measures that will guarantee the safety of women and girls during the forthcoming election.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, the program manager of the centre, Paschal Idogbe said if adequate security is provided women will be encouraged to participate well in the election.
He explained that youths make up over 70% of the country’s population with young women and girls accounting for more.
“INEC and security agencies should provide the enabling environment for women and girls to be encouraged to participate in the forthcoming election.
“Women are potential mothers and if entrusted with anything they would not fail”.
Idogbe said young women and girls within the age range of 18-35 are largely not represented in decision-making and governance.
According to him, they are often reduced to agents of political violence during elections while several others show little or no interest at all in elections and its processes.
Idogbe however said to address female marginalization, apathy and passiveness in Nigeria’s electoral processes, the centre implemented the Action for better female participation in elections and it is being supported by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD).
While collaborating, the communication officer Anastacia Okolo said the centre is concerned with the protection of women and girls’ rights based on the conviction that all men and women are equal and indeed, they have rights in society.
“We protect women and girls’ rights, we also promote equality for both gender. Giving justice to women is the same as giving justice to men, it is the only way to build a balanced society” She said.
Emmanuel Ukoh
