Charity Anaja, a gender expert and development advocate, is the advocacy lead and member, Women in Politics Forum (WiPF). She is also a member of the International Institute for Leadership and Governance. In this Interview with ENE OSHABA she speaks on poor women’s representation in President Bola Tinubu’s contrary to his campaign promises.
How will you rate women’s representation in President Bola Tinubu’s administration as it concerns the ministerial nominations?
For me, it is a mixed grill. I am particularly excited about the youth inclusion. It’s an age shift that has touched more of the younger generation and that’s in line with what we have been clamoring for.
However, on the part of numbers, we have once again fallen short of the desired number amidst the commitments and high hopes we had right from the time of campaigns.
The last general elections was one that women and youth turned out like never before.
Also, the number of female aspirants was more compared to the previous elections. Data shared by the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) before the general elections showed that out of the 15,307 candidates in the elections 1,552 were women.
The elections are over and the question is: How many of these women got elective positions? We are still lamenting that only 9 out of 48 ministerial appointees are women; this is less than 20 per cent. Given our population, our number, the representation is once again inadequate.
Is this percentage in line with the APC and Tinubu campaign promises regarding women inclusion?
The percentage of women appointees is such that could be pre-determined by political will as against the low number of women elected at the national and state legislatures.
The President, during his inaugural speech promised that women and youth would feature prominently in his government but 18 per cent is less than what we expected from the party given the promises made to the women folk.
So, this administration is not different from the last administration regarding achieving the 35 per cent Affirmative Action?
We can’t make final judgements at this point because appointments are still being made. I recall that we have asked for a functional representation. We still have agencies, boards, and parastatals, embassies, and other appointments at various levels that are yet to be announced. We are hoping and also appealing that nominations will be made from our rich and ripe field of very capable women who are blazing their trails in their various fields of endeavors so we can achieve the gender balance we need as a nation.
Why has it been so difficult for Nigeria to achieve 35 Affirmative Action when other countries are nowe seeking 50/50?
The answer is “Evolving Patriarchy”, as our world is evolving, so is patriarchy; a society that discriminates and exploits women and sees women as their own enemies.
Women are doing exceptionally well but when it comes to politics, elections and representation, we keep falling short and it’s a thing of worry at this point.
There’s much to be done with our polity, our legal frameworks, constitutions, policies and the political will to implement the instruments that provide a level playing field for women to occupy positions of political leadership, both appointive and elective.
We hope the present government gives women more appointments and the 10th National Assembly reconsiders the five rejected gender bills to create some equity for the women. What would be a strong sign of commitment from the present administration.
What should women do differently to increase their inclusion in governance and leadership?
Women are already trying, we are advocating, we are having our capacities built, we are joining political parties and are actively participating in the process. All we need is the political will and commitment to turn our dreams into beautiful realities.
We need the support of the few women in government both elective and appointment to see that the lives of women are better from the rural to the urban settings, women can access basic amenities and have their lives and rights protected.
We need our children safe, healthy and in schools. Our desires as women are the same and we need a government that will preserve, protect and promote these rights.
Some people have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of women who made the ministerial nominations. What is your own take on this?
I see nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with the women on the ministerial list. Like I said earlier, the age shift towards the younger generation is a high point for me.
I have read their portfolios and I find them very impressive. They are sure to come up with some innovative ways of getting things done.
Dr Betta Edu is coming from the health sector where she recorded outstanding achievements as first Special Adviser Community Health, State Director General of Primary Healthcare Agency and Commissioner for Health, respectively, in Cross River state, hence she was selected as the Dean of Commissioners for Health in Nigeria and we saw how well she ran the women wing of the APC campaigns has been able to take all APC women nationwide to a level that had never been achieved by any previous women leader just like her records in the cross river health sector.
Stella Okotete has a great banking experience and has been doing well with women and girls empowerment; and Hon. Nkiruka Onyejiocha, who has represented women so well in the National Assembly and sponsored the Bill for extra seats for women and has many other achievements to her name. She is experienced and can handle the portfolio.
We need to give these women our full support and give them a chance to prove themselves.
A healthy government does not have appointments revolving around the same circle. I advise that the new appointees, when given their portfolios should seek counsel and guidance from their predecessors, especially the women ministers, and be ready to work with their teams and existing platforms.
It is our duty as their mothers, sisters, and friends, to support, pray for them and wish them well. Victory for one is victory for all.
Do you think marginalisation of women regarding appointments is connected with the federal government’s appeal against the court judgement on the 35 per cent Affirmative Action?
I don’t think so. I would rather we are patient as appointments are still being made across board.
We will keep reminding the present administration of their promises towards women, and as more names are reeled out, we are hoping that women are prominently featured as promised by our dear president who is known to be gender friendly and is committed to the causes of women.
What’s your advice to President Tinubu on nominations for his cabinet, especially women inclusion?
I would want to appeal to our dear President to remember his promise on women inclusion in governance.
He has exuded a positive body language towards women right from his days as the governor of Lagos state. We ask for more female appointments as this will enrich his administration on a highly rewarding note
A 400 level female student was nominated into the Presidential Tax Team. What’s your take on this appointment?
It shows the President’s respect for inclusion across gender and generational lines. We hope that the younger generation will be featured and their potential will be effectively utilised for the growth and development of our great nation
