Success Nwanedo
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rivers State Chapter has asked women to demand their rights knowing that power will not be given to them on a platter of gold.
In a statement signed by Rivers State NAWOJ chairperson, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, the group said it is time for women to break the bias, and create a society free of stereotypes.
According to NAWOJ, to break the discrimination, it is important that all women use their Personal Voters’ Card (PVCs) to get more women into positions of power especially as women usually have more numerical strength than men during campaigns and voting periods.
The association further enjoined women to restrastegise, encourage and sponsor women who are willing and well able to pick up forms to contest for positions of their choice.
It maintained that this year’s women’s day celebration is a wake-up call for all women to “team up in unity to ensure that all those men who are incompetent and gender insensitive do not smell the corridor of power.”
“With your PVCs you can decide who leads you in 2023, the time to get the change you want politically is now, the time to demand your rights is now.”
The group further said it is against the action of the National Assembly for throwing out gender bills seeking more political opportunities for women.
NAWOJ described it as a wake up call for women to demand their rights, adding that when women are in power, growth and development are guaranteed.