Tina Amanda
The International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) has harped on the need for an increase in women’s participation in politics and leadership positions.
Representative of FIDA International United Nations, Inime Aguma, who disclosed this in a Town Hall meeting organised by FIDA River for political Aspirants to engage women, said more women need to be part of decision-making tables to discuss issues that affect women.
According to her, women should make use of the gender laws in place in their favours, as such laws have given them the power to speak and participate in politics.
“We want to participate, we want to be involved, we want to create an enabling environment that will be better for us to ensure our progress which will in generality engender peace and development in the state, women in authority, women in positions which was not the story before, but that is the new story and that story continues.
“I will expect that this town meeting today will be very civil and people will know that time is of the essence, whatever will be decided at this forum is what would be brought back to the candidates when the campaign opens, so the candidates can speak to us.
“We are here as sisters, as women, we are not here on political grounds let us articulate and ensure we address the issues that concern women. What do you want? We keep agitating, we keep saying we are being treated unfairly, we keep saying we are not allowed to participate in politics, even some of that participate we come back and tell stories that we are not allowed to speak, which I know is a lie.
“We are allowed to speak, we are allowed to participate in what we are looking for an increase in participation, gender equality, how do we address those issues. In addressing them take cognizance of the fact even the issues that have been addressed how have we handled them as women.
“Have we use them for our own benefits or have we jettison them. There are so many gender laws, how have we used those for our benefits”.
Also, Chairperson FIDA Rivers State, Adata Bio-Briggs, said the meeting is to make their demands as women known to all the aspirants in the state, in order to hold them accountable when they are in power.
“Some time in the month of March 2022 were we held a program and talked to women on the need for women to increase in political participation. Today’s meeting is to tell the aspirants what we want from them after the 2023 election.
“For FIDA Rivers we have demanded that we need increase funding for sexual and gender based violence issues, we also there is a need for sexual assault referral center. We also want the equal opportunity bill to be passed into law in Rivers State just as they have in Ekiti
On their part some women participants who spoke to our correspondent, demand that those institutions that take care of women and children should be supported and revamped, stressing religious women should also be included in political campaign decisions.
