As the nation celebrates Democracy Day today, June 12, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the 10th National Assembly to consider a ranking female legislator as the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives.
The association said this would be in line with gender balancing and equitable development and fairness in the allocation of ‘who gets what and how’ in the nation’s democracy.
In a statement signed by NAWOJ’s President, Ladi Bala, and the secretary, Helen Udofia, the association decried lack of women inclusion in governance and political participation over the years,saying that it has remained a weak link in the core values of democracy and not part of a true reflection of the Nigerian democratic dream.
NAWOJ noted that democracy has not come only to stay in Nigeria, but is effectively defining the nation’s political landscape and roadmaps to greatness and development.
It also emphasised that women inclusion should form a part of deliberate and conscious efforts aimed at addressing the gender gap.
It appealed to President Tinubu and members of the 10th National Assembly to show interest in gender balancing, as well as equitable development and fairness in the allocation of ‘who gets what and how’ in the nation’s democracy.
The association lamented the minute representation of women in the 10th National Assembly, describing it as a serious setback that requires deliberate action.
It said that it was time time to set in motion the strategy for changing the narrative of under-representation of women at the National Assembly.
The Association observed that as things stand today in the nation, there are only 17 women representing their constituencies out of 469 members in both chambers,the 10th National Assembly which showed gender unfriendliness as it lacks balance.
It stressed that the development is so sad and worrisome as it does not reflect the diversity of the Nigerian society in any form.
NAWOJ further noted that gender diversity in leadership fosters innovation and better governance, stressing that until the issue of women inclusion in leadership and governance are prioritized in the new administration, the nation’s democracy could at best be described as hypocrisy with the hope of Nigerian women dashed once again.
It equally posited that in the spirit of patriotism and building the confidence of women, who are always active participants in the political process, stakeholders and members of the National Assembly should consider and allow a female legislator to emerge as Deputy Speaker in order to give the gender requirement that promotes inclusion.
“Let’s right the wrong and make history in the eyes of the global community, starting with the election of a female into a principal position of the 10th National Assembly,” the Association said..
NAWOJ, however, urged that while Nigeria and Nigerians should be commended for bracing 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 deserves applause.
It also said that the gains of the nation’s democratic experience are enormous and worthy of celebration by all.
NAWOJ was of the view that most significant is the collective resolve by most Nigerians that democracy, as a system of government, has 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 appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to fulfil his campaign promises of promoting equity and social inclusion at all levels of governance, including ensuring adequate representation of women in governance.
