The low representation of women in the much-awaited President Bola Tinubu’s ministerial list formed the core of discussions at a recent conference organised by Women Radio 91.7, ENE OSHABA reports.
The ministerial nomination list released by the President has continued to generate lots reactions from Nigerians as it corroborated the retrogressive culture of women’s under-representation. Pointedly, only nine women made the list out of 48 nominees, making 18% only.
This is despite Tinubu raising the bar beyond former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, by naming 48 ministers, a new record in 24 years since the country returned to democratic rule. One would have thought that the large number would have guaranteed an increase in the number of women nominated.
Sadly, the list fell short of the 35% Affirmative Action ignoring a court ruling upholding the provisions of the National Gender Policy of 2006.
The actions of the president went against his promises as stated in his Renewed Hope Manifesto and were disapproved of by participants at a virtual media conference organised by Women Radio 91.7, in partnership with Sustainable Gender Action Initiative.
This is as other gender advocates lamented the constant under-representation of women in the political space.
Failed promises
Speaking during a conference organised by Women Radio 91.7 titled: President Tinubu’s 18% female ministers vs campaign promises, the Executive Director of Invictus Africa, Bukky Shonibare, expressed disappointment over the development, noted that the President failed to keep to his promises as there are clear economic and social advantages to having more women in the workforce and political offices.
Shonibare stated that she expected President Tinubu to keep his promises to Nigerian women, pointing out that though the number of ministers was the highest in Nigeria so far women still got fewer positions.
While lamenting that women have not been prioritised, she called on the state governors to do better by nominating women to key appointive positions.
Similarly, the Executive Director, Dispute Resolution and Development Initiative, Dr. Muhammad Mustapha Yahaya, also stated that it was unfair of the president to ignore the women who campaigned and voted for him as they make up about half of the population.
He, however, charged the president to work round the clock to ensure inclusive governance for women and persons with disabilities noting that it was not too late for the President to ensure the 35% Affirmative Action for the underrepresented groups.
Disregard for court ruling
Speaking on the disregard of the rights of women regarding inclusion, the Director of Human Rights, Falana and Falana Chambers, Barrister Marshal Abubakar, pointed out the implications of not obeying the court order on 35% Affirmative Action for women which Nigeria is signatory to.
“Any President who disregards a court ruling has violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and could face impeachment as stipulated in the constitution,” he stated.
Barrister Abubakar opined that there was a need for women groups to do more in calling the attention of the President of the court judgment and the need for implementation in the areas of appointment for departments and agencies.
Also speaking, the Manager, Project and Lagos Field Officer, Action-Aid Nigeria, Vivian Emem-Bassey, expressed worry over the style of politics played in Nigeria, stating that patriarchy is still a major challenge with achieving women inclusion, gender equality in the country.
“It is obvious that our politics is been led by patriarchy, irrespective of the roles women excel in, women are always relegated to the background and they are only given positions of organizers and support groups,” she said.
“The lack of accountability on the part of both the citizens and the political office holders is also part of the reasons for the lack of implementation of national policies and international charters Nigeria has signed,” Efem-Bassey further stated.
According to the manager, Nigeria needed systems and platforms where citizens can question and hold political office holders accountable for their actions and inactions based on their promises and provisions of their offices.
She noted the need for more attention to the inclusion of persons with disabilities for inclusive and unbiased governance.
Govt, stakeholders tasked
The conference urged women groups, CSOs and advocacy groups on the need to use different platforms to remind political officeholders and the president of their promises and hold them accountable for their actions.
They called on the president to fulfil his promises in line with his manifesto promises and ensure an inclusive representation that reflects the contributions of women and vulnerable groups in the society.
