The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has reiterated its resolve to address Gender inequality through aggressive partnerships.
This it said would get more women to participate actively in the electoral process.
The INEC Deputy Director in charge of Gender Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Okafor made this known during a Workshop organised by the Commission for stakeholders in Anambra State in conjunction with the Nigerian Women Trust Fund through European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria.
Mrs Okafor said that the Commission has a written Commitment through updated gender policies from 2021 to 2025 which according to her “will not only encourage women’s participation in politics and the electoral process but also will persuade political parties to mainstream gender in their activities.”
In a Virtual address, the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Women Trust Fund, Mrs. Mufuliat Fijabi said that the Agency has set out objectives that would in the next five years promote Women’s Inclusion in politics and Governance.
A resource Person, Mrs Wandoo Yaji said that despite provisions of the various International Conventions of which the country is part of, Nigerian Women have continued to perform below expectation in politics.
The Chairman of the occasion and Traditional Ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka admitted that women were being relegated politically and enjoined them to be more political proactive.
The representative of Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner and Head of Administration, Mr. Sunday Nwegbe said that the commission has always given preference to women in the electoral process.
The Workshop drew major stakeholders from the National Orientation Agency, Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders, Civil Society Organisations and Women Groups including the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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