Women groups across Anambra Central and South Zones have called for the urgent passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill, which they described as critical to strengthening inclusive governance in Nigeria.
The peaceful rally held in Awka, the state capital on Tuesday, calling together a coalition of women’s organisations, coordinated by the Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Anambra State Chapter, Barr. Amara Muojeke.
Muojeke stressed that increasing women’s representation in elective positions would enable them to contribute more meaningfully to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
She noted that the speedy passage of the bill, with the support of men, would open up greater opportunities for women to participate in governance at all levels, in line with global best practices.
“We urge women across the country to support one another politically. Unity among women voters remains key to achieving the desired representation. We are calling on women in the East, South, West, and North to vote our fellow women into power. That is the only way we can succeed,” she said.
The FIDA chairperson commended the member representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency, Prof. Oby Lilian Orogbu, for receiving the petition submitted by the group and encouraged participants to continue spreading the message across communities.
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Responding, Prof. Orogbu, who was represented by Barr. Oge Ekweozor assured the women that their petition would be transmitted to the House of Representatives and subsequently to the Senate for consideration.
In separate remarks, the State President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Lady Theresa Nnalue, and the State Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Tochukwu Ifejika, among others, called on women nationwide to support the push for increased political inclusion through the Special Seats Bill.
Participating groups at the Anambra Central Senatorial Zones rally included Women4Women, National League of Women Voters, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Association of Muslim Women, Adadiebube Women Group, Nwanyibuife, Indispensable Ladies, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), and FIDA, among others.
In the same vein, FIDA, NAWOJ, and Association of Muslim Women Leaders moved to Nnewi town to join the teeming women gathered for the Reserved Seats support rally for Anambra South Senatorial Zone.
Various Women groups were on the ground to receive the aforementioned Women group leaders; the Nigeria League of Women Voters (NILOWV), National Council of Women Council (NCWS) Muslim Women Association among others.
Bar. Mojeke, the coordinator for Anambra State Support Rally, after sensitising the women on the ground, presented the signed petition letter by women from the Anambra South Senatorial Zone to the Woman Leader, Mrs Juliana Ndumnigwe
to submit to Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe Member of House of Representatives for Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency.