FIDA Wants Re-Introduction Of Marketing Boards

The Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIFA) has
called for the re-introduction of marketing boards across the 36 states of the
federation.

The Enugu State Chairperson of the federation, Mrs Lizzy
Oji, told newsmen in Enugu last Tuesday that the re-introduction of the
marketing boards would encourage greater participation of women in farming
activities.

She said that boards would assist to buy off farm produce
from women to enable them carter for their families.

Oji, who was speaking in preparation for the World Bank
Policy dialogue which would kick start in Enugu on May 25, called on government
at all levels to increase their health budget to reduce maternal and infant
mortality rate in the country.

According to her, the increase in health budget will
concretise the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG).

“We have suggested the reintroduction of the state marketing
boards that can buy off farm produce from the women. “We have addressed the
issue of maternal mortality, the maternal mortality of women in Nigeria is very
high. The same thing also goes for infant mortality. There should be increased
budgeting in the area of women’s health.

“Health centres which have been built should be equipped and
personnel posted to these health centres.’’

Oji urged women to form strong cooperatives and groups to
help them access facilities from the government.

She listed the challenges of the federation to include lack
of fund and culture of silence on the part of some women.

On cost of litigation on matters involving the rights of
women, Oji appealed to the judiciary and the governments to make the process
free for FIDA in matters affecting the rights of women.

“We are asking the state governments and the judiciary to
wave filing fees for all FIDA cases.’’

She called for the involvement of women in elective and
political positions to fulfill the proposed 35 per cent affirmative action
promised by the government.