The Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Chief Emen Okon, has tasked local government councils in the country to implement laws to address gender inequality and social inclusion.
Okon who, said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after a one-day capacity building workshop for Journalists in the state, organized by the organization, expressed regret that local government councils are not doing enough to implement legislations that address gender inequality and social inclusion as well as gender-based violence.
She said existing legislations on gender equality both at the National and State levels are not being implemented at the Local Government and community levels.
“I would particularly want to focus on the local governments because I don’t think much is done at the local government to address gender inequality and social inclusion and also to address issues of gender-based violence.
“At the national level, there are legislations, at the state level, there are legislations, but how do we work for the implementation and enforcement of these existing legislations, particularly at the local level?” she said.
Okon said the lack of advocacy at the local government levels have made it difficult for women to know of legislations they can rely on, on the event of their rights being violated.
“Local Government is the closest to the people and if the people that are enlightened are staying in the state capital have knowledge about existing legislations, the people at the Communities don’t even have access to you, media.
“They don’t have access to legal services, so how are they coping? So, my interest would be that the local government still has a long way to go to endorse the legislations and begin to implement and enforce”, she said.
She also said community leaders need to be up and doing to ensure obnoxious customs and traditional practices against the right of women are abrogated.
“So, there is need for a change in mindset, a change in practice. That means advocacy has to be directed more at those people that can influence the system at the local government level”, she stated.
Also speaking, a board member of the organization, Chief Constance Meju, said Government needs to recognize that women need to be built into policies as most policies do not have imputes from women.
She said women face various challenges ranging from finance, family values, as well as their voices not being heard.
Meju, who is the Coordinator, Centre for Media, Environment and Development Communication, said women need to be included in the governing process in all strata of the society.
She said women constitute 49 percent of the population and need to be included in governance.
“Women are faithful voters, women have been faithful to Nigeria, Nigeria should pay back”, she said.

John Bibor