House Drums Support For Nigerian Women

The House of Representatives last Thursday urged Nigerian leaders and their global counterparts to support women holding elective positions and appointments.

It also commended the dexterity of Nigerian women as they celebrated the International Women’s Day.

March 8, 2012, has been dedicated to celebrate the contributions of women worldwide.

This resolution followed a motion by Rep. Nkieruka Onyejiocha ( PDP – Abia ) which was unanimously adopted without debate.

Moving the motion earlier, Onyejiocha said there was a need to eulogise the women in Nigeria by providing a common day for them.

“Today, Thursday March 8, 2012 has been dedicated as the International Day for Women, to appreciate the women.’’

She noted with concern that women had been discriminated against, oppressed, and abused over time.

Onyejiocha, however, noted that women have been known in the past and present to rise up to certain challenges on issues that affected the womenfolk.

The legislator said the ratio of women in Nigeria’s parliament stood at 6 per cent and 28 per cent in the executive councils.

The lawmaker observed that the women folk was yet to meet the 35 per cent affirmative action in political appointments.

She, however, said that “the Federal Government has tried in that direction (political appointments for women)’’.

She urged the Speaker to assist in legislating on issues that would make women legislators to be at par with their counterparts in other parliaments in the World.

The House, also in a motion entitled “need to address the menace of the devastating erosion disaster along Umuahia – Bende Road in Abia State,’’ urged the Federal Ministry of Environment to intervene and give attention to the road.

The lawmakers mandated the Committees on Works and Environment to investigate the level of damage in the area and report to the House within three weeks.

The motion was referred to the House Committee on Environment for further legislative action.