150 WOMEN GROUPS TO STAGE SOLIDARITY WALK TO GOVERNOR ABIODUN OVER 35% REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN CABINET

‘The Women Groups and concerned citizens will undertake solidarity WALK to your office on Thursday, 1st of August 2019. We represent diverse Non-Governmental Organisations that work towards the advancement of women in Nigeria in all spheres of life and within the context of national and international frameworks that obligates Nigeria to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment’.

Penpushing further reports that, the groups emphasized that they support  more women in leadership in  Nigeria as a prerequisite for sustainable democracy and development, stressing that as concerned citizens they are ready to fight the continued marginalization of women in leadership positions in the country  .

‘We are concerned by the continued marginalization of women in leadership positions in the country and hereby request your Excellency to consider appointing 35% representation of women in the cabinet that will lead your agenda in the state. We also urge you to consider other social groups including the youth and people with disabilities’, the body declared.

‘We believe that the appointment exercise as a critical tool to steer affairs of the state towards a desirable and sustainable future, such future can support the state towards the achievement of 2030 Global agenda’.

‘The State has always been the gate way and leads historically in progressive developments and we will not expect something less from this present government. We are aware that there are several eminently qualified female indigenes of the state for all the sectors and call on your esteemed self to consider these eminently qualified female citizens to position the state appropriately and support your agenda for a better state’, the signatories posited.

Penpushing also reports that, the groups pointed out that taking this step, it will not only position Abiodun’s government as a gender friendly, but it will go a long way in placing Ogun State in the comity of States in Nigeria as a leader committed to gender equality and women’s participation in power and decision making and will set a precedent for other Governments across the Country and increase the gender rating of Nigeria.

The letter signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Chairperson, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) ,as well as Coordinators of the 150 Women organisations, urged the Governor  to listen to the yearning of the people and support a pro people Government that portrays representation that is above board and can support development.