IWD: Nasarawa Speaker Joins Prominent Women To Demand 35% Affirmative Inclusion In Governance
“… We are advocating for 35% affirmative action and saying no to NASS rejection of gender bills…” says First Lady.
In commemoration of the International Women’s Day Celebration, Nasarawa State First Lady, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule, Monday, led other prominent women in the state on an advocacy visit to the State House of Assembly to say no to National Assembly rejection of Gender bills, struggle for women participation in both elective, appointed, socioeconomic and political participation.
In the entourage of the First Lady, which includes the wife of the State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Toshin Akabe, wife of the Speaker and State LEWA Chairperson, Hajiya Maryam Balarabe Abdullahi, the commissioners of Education, Women Affairs and that of Special Duties as well as other prominent women in the State.
In a remark, The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi
, who received the delegation stated that the assembly under his leadership held them in high esteem and valued women as mothers, hence the need for the lawmaker’s resolve to attend to legislation that has a direct impact on their lives for the overall good of the society.
” Nasarawa State House of Assembly is gender-sensitive, that is why we feel so sad over the NASS rejection of Gender bills, however, we thank God that the House of Representatives is revisiting the bills and we hope that Senate will do same soon.
” We as Speakers of State Assemblies under Speakers Conference of Nigeria, we have been discussing this among ourselves and hopefully next week we will be meeting to come up with a position letter in that regard.
“We in Nasarawa Assembly key into your plight this is also evident in most of the bills we have passed in this House that affect the lives of our women and above all, you are all living witnesses to His Excellency Engr. Abdullahi Sule’s zeal and passion for the women considering his policies and appointments aimed at upliftment of our women in the state and we as assembly we are keying into that, so I want to urge you to go home and sleep we will always be there for you people, the Speaker said.
Earlier, the State First Lady, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi Sule, spoke through the State Commissioner for Women Affairs Hajiya. Aisha Rufai Ibrahim said that the advocacy is part of activities marking the celebration of International Women’s Day.
She said they visited the House to first express dismay on the rejection of gender bills by the National Assembly as well as advocate for more inclusion of women in governance through the realization of 35 % affirmative action.
The women carried placards with inscriptions such as “support political representation for women” break the bias” stop the use of children for hawking “stop sex for rituals” among others.
