Lagos — Ahead of the 2016 governorship election in Edo State, a coalition of women groups in that state under the aegis of Edo Women Arise Group met to strategies on how to ensure that women are adequately represented in the decision making process from 2016 and beyond.
The meeting tagged: 'Women For Effective Governance: Road-Map To Edo 2016 Election' held in Benin, the state capital on December 10, 2015 to mark the annual 16 Days of Activism.
The 16 Days of Activism is a United Nations recognised global campaign to raise awareness about violence against women and its impact on a woman's physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being. It emphasised that human rights cannot be universal without human rights for women. The 16 Days of Activism began on November 25 on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and ended on December 10, which was the International Human Rights Day.
During the 16 days, activists around the world use the campaign to further raise awareness about the prevalence and devastating impact of gender violence, to celebrate victories gained by the Women's Rights Movement, challenge policy and practice that allow women to be targeted for acts of violence and demand that violence against women be recognized as an abuse of human rights.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their one day consultative forum, the women noted that "It is the inalienable rights of women to be at decision making process on issues that affects their lives, therefore women and indeed men should support any woman who aspires to serve in any capacity in governance of Edo state."
The group comprised Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Edo Women Arise( EWA), Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), Echoes of Women in Africa (ECOWA), Conference of Non Governmental Organisations (CONGOs) and Edo National Association World Wide (ENAW). Others are International Republic Institute (IRI)Conference of Political Parties, Centre for Foundation for Good Governance., Market Women Association, Esan Women Movement, Women For Equity and Fairness Forum ( WEFON) and Concerned Women of Edo State( COWE).
In the communiqué, they urged women across Edo State "to unite and with one voice demand for the position of Governor/ Deputy Governor and resiliently pursue it in the 2016 race", and called on women in the state that had the requisite qualification for the would be vacant positions to come out and contest, and assured them of the support of the womenfolk,
They also called on the women to note that "the call for women to contest in 2016 gubernatorial election should not end with the consultative forum, but continue with public enlightenment, advocacy visits, and mobilisation of women and youths especially at grassroots, collectively campaign to vote for a woman to emerge as governor or deputy despite political affiliations."
The communiqué further demanded that: "All political parties must as a matter of affirmative action adopt 'twining' that is having a female running mate' or vice -versa in the 2016 election and at local government elections in a free and fair contest. All aspiring male candidates from all the parties for the 2016 election to liaise with women groups for female deputies for their campaign.
"The Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to demonstrate his love for women by ensuring the emergence of a woman as either a governor or deputy in the 2016 elections. Edo state women should resolve not to vote for any party that does not (present at least a female deputy) in the Edo 2016 Election.
"Edo State Women condemn totally the erroneous perceptions, stereotypes, statements and rhetoric's of 'there are no credible women' to seek elective positions or for the appointments at local, state and national levels.
"Edo State Women have therefore resolved to rise up to the challenges of overcoming the various hurdles, be it cultural, religious, social and traditional barriers constituting hindrance to the realisation of their political aspiration."
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