The Nigeria League of Women Voters (NILOWV) has called on political parties in the country to declare a state of emergency on political inclusion and space for Nigerian women to ensure that the country is governed with wisdom and decisions for healthy growth.
Convener and president of the league, Esther Uduehi, who made the call in Abuja while inaugurating the new board of trustees of the group yesterday, said the league had impacted the lives of many Nigerian women.
Uduehi urged security agencies to be more proactive in ensuring that campaigns and elections are peaceful and all forms of violence before and during elections are addressed.
“How can a nation be playing with about 50 percent of its population? This is very sad and should be addressed the executive arm of government should ensure compliance with the minimum 35 percent affirmative action in appointive positions in public offices, in conformity with the national gender policy and judgment of the Federal High Court.
“NILOWV is calling on political parties to provide all necessary and legal support in ensuring success at the polls for our women. We implore security agencies to be more proactive in ensuring that campaigns and elections are peaceful.
“Also, all forms of violence before and during elections are addressed, we appeal to the judiciary to, in the interest of justice, make necessary pronouncements against perpetrators of violence against women in the electioneering period,” she said.