NGO applauds Biden’s inclusive appointments, calls for Equal opportunity in Nigeria
BY Victoria Ogunrinde
The Mother And marginalised Advocacy Centre (MAMA Centre) has commended the recent inclusive appointments by the President-Elect of the United States of America, Joe Biden.
Executive Director of the center, Ms. Chioma Kanu in a statement on Tuesday noted that aside the recent appointment of all-female White House Communications Team, the spirit of inclusiveness in a number of senior roles previously confirmed by the President-elect has been observed thus urged the political systems in Nigeria to emulate gender equality and inclusiveness.
“We observed in the appointments, practical demonstration of equality and social justice worthy of emulation by every political system including Nigeria.”
“We reiterate our concerns over the existing glaring gender gaps in Nigeria’s political structures and processes including low numbers of women in political party decision making structures; limited involvement of women in household, community and political spheres; unclear rules and procedures on recruitment and conduct of primaries,” she said.
Ms. KANU added that the constant neglect and poor consideration for Affirmative Action manifests across key elective, appointive positions in both public and private spheres in Nigeria.
However, while expressing deep concern over the slow progress in bridging gender gap with the most recent Global Gender Gap report by World Economic Forum revealing that at the current rate of progress, it will take another 108 years to reach gender parity, Ms. Kanu calls for sincere consideration and implementation of at least 35% Affirmative Action for Women at all levels to encourage their appreciable participation and involvement of women as leaders and decision-makers in households, communities as well as public and private spheres.
“We call for the increased priority for the passage into law, Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill by the National Assembly to demonstrate the legislature’s concern for the rights of women to equal opportunities with guaranteed appropriate measures against gender discrimination in political and public life,” she said.