Calabar, Nigeria – A non-governmental organisation (NGO), Stand To End Rape (STER), has sought the partnership of the media to amplify the Special Seats Bill in Cross River State.
Converseer reports that the Bill, if signed into law, will increase the participation of women in politics, with a reservation of seats for women and the vulnerable. It is also a temporary bill that will last for 16 years, after which it will be reviewed.
Speaking in a Town Hall Meeting On Amplifying Women’s Representation in Politics With Special Focus On The Special Seats Bill, in Calabar, on Wednesday, Elfrida Adeleye, Communication Officer, Stand To End Rape, said Cross River is one of the few states that has been supporting women in politics.
She said if the media, government representatives, politicians, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), political leaders, among others, join their voices and support the course, women will be occupying valuable seats as well as making valuable contributions to the growth and development of the nation.
“Why we keep coming here is because we’ve been having support from the Cross River State Government, especially the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs. We need the right people, so, we have to work with the right people to drive this message. We want to create a space where women can participate in politics, just like in Nursing, Medicine, and other fields.
“In the National Assembly, gender issues are taking the back seat because we don’t have the right people there. With the Special Seat Bill, women will have a level playing ground. The bill is just for 16 years, and by that time, women should be occupying valuable seats. It is not just to increase the number but participation in national policies that drive development,” Adeleye said.
On her part, the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Her Excellency Eyoanwan Otu, who was represented by Jeffrey Adamade, Special Assistant on NGOs (Office of the Wife of the Governor), said her office has been working with the Ministry of Women Affairs on different fronts.
Otu promised to offer the best support she could to see that women are being represented in politics and in large numbers. “We’ll always be here to provide the necessary support,” she added.
Joining her voice also was Hon. Mercy Akpama, Member Representing Yakurr II State Constituency in the Cross River State House of Assembly, who said she supports women’s participation in all forms of politics, urging them to come out and contest in various political positions.
Akpama, who is the only female in the 25-member 10th Assembly, said, “If you go to campaign grounds, you have women dancing, clapping, blowing whistles, but when it comes to making decisions, sharing of women, men dominate – women should not be used as jara.”
Continuing, the Lawmaker further urged, “Please, women, let’s come out – money or no money, come out – it is better you fail than not come out at all. If it is to fight, talk, lobby, let’s do it.
“I support women’s participation in all forms of politics, whether church, house; come out and perform your role. I don’t feel weak because I am alone in the House of Assembly. I am pleading that in the next elections, come out, whether you’re given special seats or not. I believe one day, it’ll be 50/50.”
In her address, Hon. Edema Irom, Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs, said the town hall meeting came at the right time when the state is participating in the 16 days of activism to end gender-based violence.
“For us as a ministry, we’re talking of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, and one of the things is political participation for women.
“You have to be prepared as a woman – even women inclusion in politics, you have to be prepared. Gender-based violence would drop if more women were included in politics. We must keep amplifying the voices of women every time we gather, this way, we’ll achieve our goals,” she said.
Speaking also, Florence Inyang, Cross River State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Women Leader, said women need more women who are already in the political sphere to carry others along.
According to her, “I am of the opposition party but I am here because it concerns women. We need more people like the Commissioner for Women Affairs, as she’s always carrying everyone along.”
Inyang also stated, “Women should start supporting women; that way, we’ll grow in politics,” noting that she was the first female ward chairman of her party and a councillor even as she contested against men.
The Town Hall Meeting also featured presentations, contributions, as well as questions and answers. It was organised by Stand To End Rape in partnership with the Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs, with support from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Abuja.
