By Joy Odor
The Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has mandated the National Assembly (NASS) to introduce affirmative action as part of the electoral reforms that will ensure greater representation of women, youths and persons with disability in elective offices in Nigeria.
The call is sequel to the commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) marked every 8th of March every year across the globe.
Prof Yakubu in his speech while celebrating the Day informed that the Commission is aware of the concern raised by Nigerians about the low level of gender representation in elective positions nationwide, saying they have been dutifully implementing the gender policy in a practical way.
According to him, out of 24 Departments and Directorates at the Commission’s Headquarters, 11 (representing 46%) are headed by women, including women serving as Administrative Secretaries in State offices and Heads of various Departments at State level.
He maintained that there is also no State in Nigeria without women serving as Electoral Officers (EOs) in charge of the Local Government Offices.
“In addition to Departmental and other responsibilities, the Commission has also built and equipped a Crèche for the convenience of staff of all categories who are nursing mothers. By coincidence, the Crèche will be commissioned shortly as part of the activities for this year’s International Women’s Day. Our intention is to extend such a facility to our state offices as funds permit” he said.
The INEC boss assured that the Commission would engage with the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters on this and other areas of reform.
“The Commission shares this concern and we have consistently been urging political parties to redress the obvious under-representation of women, youths and persons with disability by nominating more of them as candidates for elections to accelerate progress in this regard”.
“As an equal opportunity employer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is delighted to join the rest of the world to celebrate this auspicious occasion not in a symbolic way but as a practical affirmation of our commitment to deepening gender equality, representation, relevance, empowerment and a sense of belonging.
“The main theme of this year’s celebration is “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” while the campaign theme is “Inspire Inclusion”. Inclusion, in particular, has been a focal area of our commitment covering gender, youths and persons with disability. For this reason, the Commission has since developed and validated its gender policy with the full support of all stakeholders. We have also been dutifully implementing the gender policy in a practical way.
Also speaking, Prof. Kunle Ajayi, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC), opined that INEC is glad to join the global community to celebrate the monumental contributions that women have made in all critical spheres of life, particularly in the areas of governance, democracy and politics.
He said the International Women’s Day not only marks the pursuit of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) at the continental and global levels, it also celebrates the achievements, impacts and successes of women at every level.
Ajayi announced that the event with the theme, “Celebrating Women in Election Management; Public Service, Knowledge and Mentorship” is apt, as it is another opportunity to appeal to the present administration to favorably consider women in its appointment into various public service positions and to also, adhere to the National Gender Policy’s 35% affirmative action on women appointments.
