Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) has called for the immediate passage of the Gender Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB) in Ebonyi State to address the glaring underrepresentation of women in politics and governance.
This appeal was made during a one-day high-level multi-stakeholders roundtable on enhancing women’s political participation in the Ebonyi South senatorial zone.
The event, held at Abakaliki, was organized by WACOL in partnership with UN Women and supported by the Government of Canada.
Barr. Helen Kalu, Programme Manager for the WACOL/UN Women Political Participation Project, raised concerns about the low participation of women in Ebonyi’s political landscape.
She said, “Out of the 13 local government areas, only two have women chairpersons. In the House of Assembly, women occupy just two of the 24 seats.
“At the councilorship level, women hold only 26 positions across 171 wards. This is a clear indication that more needs to be done,” she said.
Kalu, representing WACOL’s Executive Director, Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, further explained that the GEOB, if domesticated in Ebonyi, would help reserve seats for women in parliament, bridge gender disparities, and promote social justice.
She also stated that the Gender Mainstreaming Development Commission (Establishment) 2024 Bill currently in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly has similarities with the bill.
While commending the bill’s focus on gender equality, she noted its lack of provisions for reserved seats for women and called for its alignment with the GEOB framework.
Comrade Ernest Nwaze, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), pledged to advocate for fair zoning policies within political parties to enhance women’s access to leadership roles.
“Considering my position as IPAC chairman, what I will do is to talk to the parties and their chairmen to be fair in their zoning of positions, and when they are making policies, let them do it in such a way as to protect and possibly favour the women and create way for their emergence so that the lopsided balance in the representation will be closed,” he stated.
The Development Centre Coordinator for Afikpo Northeast, Immaculata Ibeh, reflected on some of the challenges women face and emphasized the need for collaboration and mentorship.
Ibeh further appealed to the older women to mentor younger ones and for women in leadership to carry others along by creating opportunities and building a culture of support.
“I want to encourage women and girls to come out and participate in politics or any platform where they can make an impact.
“Contribute your own quota instead of criticizing every little action. Lend your voice, because participation today will help you tomorrow,” she added.
The event concluded with male participants signing a commitment to support the implementation of the GEOB.
Stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political leaders, and civil society representatives, stressed on the importance of removing systemic and internal barriers to increase women’s political participation.
