The House of Representatives yesterday charged President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to affirm the Beijing Declaration on 35% Affirmative Action on Women’s Appointment into positions when he constitutes his cabinet
The lawmakers passed the resolution yesterday, urging President Tinubu to consider the declaration on 35% affirmative action on women participation in governance as he comes up with his cabinet list after a robust debate on a motion titled: ‘’Need to Ensure Beijing Declaration on 35% Affirmative Action on Women’s Appointment into Positions’’
The motion was sponsored by Honorable Billy Osawaru, APC, member representing Orhionmwon/ Uhunmwode, Federal Constituency, Edo State
Debating the motion, Honorable Osawaru drew attention to many international instruments, agreements, conventions and protocols Nigeria signed in as a member of the United Nations, including the Beinjing Declaration and platform for Action in 1995, which aims at eliminating gender discrimination and ensure equality and human dignity to all, men and women
He noted that there existed in the country, the 2006 National Gender Policy ,NGP, which formulated the 35% affirmative action, AA, a policy that demands that 35% of women be involved in all governance processes, but unfortunately not implemented
Hon. Osawaru, however regretted that even though the policy is known but it is not implemented, thereby making a caricature of Nigeria in the comity of nations.
He cited countries like Rwanda,Senegal, Namibia, South Africa among others which are less respected and recognized in global politics, yet are doing extremely well in growing women participation in governance.
The lawmaker also mentioned several listings, like the 2022 World Gender Gap report which revealed that Nigeria ranked 123rd out of 146 countries and another account by Gender Strategy Advancement International, GSAI, an NGO, which showed that Nigeria ranked 181 of 193 countries on the Gender Equality Index, for countries with low women representation in governance
According to him, the numerous reports about Nigeria do not tell well of the giant of Africa, given too that the immediate past President Muhammd Buhari, reneged on his promises to bring in more women in his eight-year administration but made only 16 percent appointment, in the midst of several Nigerian women who have excelled both at home and overseas
Hon Billy, nonetheless called on President Tinubu whom he described as a proactive president, not to toe the part of his predecessors who have been going the wrong direction since 1999, but implement the 35% especially as he will be appointing and inaugurating his new cabinet soon, to help pilot the affairs of the country
The motion received overwhelming support from members at plenary when the deputy speaker, Ben Kalu who presided put the question to vote
The House Committee on Women Affairs was however mandated to ensure compliance of the resolution when constituted next week.
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