Nigerian Women's Group seeks for 50% Representation in Public Offices

Women’s group, UNWomen has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that there is 50 percent female representation in his forthcoming appointments for ministers, heads of agencies and parastatals.

Beatrice Eyong, UNWomen Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS spoke during the fisrst edition of ReportHer Awards, in Lagos. The event was organized by Women Radio WFM91.7, in partnership with UNWomen and with the support of the Canadian government.

“We are advocating for 50 per cent women representation in public offices as President Bola Tinubu prepares to release names of  Ministers and heads of agencies and parastatals of the government,” she said.

“We call on the President to make this a reality,” she said.

Eyong stated that UNWomen is a recognized entity worldwide and is committed to achieving gender equality and women empowerment. She stated that the group was established with the efforts of all stakeholders and civil society organisations.

She highlighted the organisation’s observation that almost 50 percent of women were unable to participate in development issues which led to increased feminisation of poverty, mortality and non-achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

“We are partnering with the media in order to achieve the sustainable development goals because if gender equality and women empowerment are not achieved, we are never going to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and reduce poverty,” she said.

Eyong called upon the media to increase their efforts in engaging the three arms of government.

“Also, political parties in Nigeria need to review their structure and constitution to be more gender-responsive,” she said.

“We hope the media would improve significantly in reporting election campaigns and other aspects of social and economic life that would breach gender gaps and improve the standard of living for women and girls across Nigeria”

“We kindly request the media to be at the forefront of the women movement and amplify our efforts to promote gender equality, women empowerment, behavioural change and abolition of harmful tradition and cultural practises,” she said.

Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), also called upon the President to ensure that gender equality comes to play while appointing public office holders.

” I use this opportunity to challenge President Bola Tinubu to ensure 50 per cent women representation in his appointments.

” WSCIJ is proud to be partnering with Women Radio; we hope to do more of this,” she said.