Group Demands 35 % Women Representation In Anambra

A group, under the aegis of Women Arise for Change Initiative (WACI), Anambra Chapter, has called for a 35 per cent women representation in elective positions in Anambra.

The leader of the group, Njideka Emeh, disclosed this while speaking to The Tide source in Onitsha.

Emeh said that the non-conduct of the local council election in the State was hindering women from developing politically.

Emeh, the chairperson of the group, urged the government to comply with the 35 per cent affirmative action as initiated by the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

She added that the low percentage of women in elective positions was hindering them from achieving their potentials.

“We are not only destined to be represented in the appointive positions, but should be allowed to contest elections with our male counterparts.

“Governor Peter Obi is the longest serving governor in Nigeria history, who has not conducted local council election, and this is his sixth year in office as the governor of Anambra State.

“We know that about N1.5 billion is being collected for the 21 local councils in the state from the Federal Government, and the monies collected cannot be equated to the development projects on ground,’’ she said.

Emeh revealed that WACI would protest the non-conduct of the local council election in the state before the end of the month.

“We are going to mobilise three million women within and outside Anambra. We are going to wear all black as a mark of mourning against the government that had denied us our right to fair representation in government,’’ she said.

The chairperson also condemned the increasing domestic violence against women and urged groups, mothers and public-spirited individuals to stand firm to prosecute anybody who endangered the lives of women.