As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2021 International Human Rights Day on December 10, the Nigerian Feminist Forum has called for an amended constitution to spell out the enforcement of affirmative action to ensure female inclusion.
The group’s Communications Officer, Angela Nkwo, made the call in a statement to commemorate the day.
According to the group, there was nothing to celebrate because women and girls were exposed to several human rights abuses including from law enforcement operatives in Nigeria.
She said, “We demand an amended constitution where affirmative action is enshrined for every elective, and appointive position at all levels in the country.”
On political representation, the NFF said while women constitute 49 per cent of the population, it was regrettable they occupied less than six per cent of elective positions in the country.
The NFF called on every state government to sign into law their State Action Plan UNSCR 1325 on women, peace, and security for inclusion, noting that the recent ranking of Nigeria as one of the 10 criminal markets globally for human trafficking, firearms, and other vices was a clear and present danger structured to harm women and girls reckoned as the major victims of human traffickers.
Further, the group called on all the state Houses of Assembly and state governors to pass and sign the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Bill into law immediately.
According to them, for lasting peace to reign, the federal, state, and local governments must include women in all security and peace processes, because they were the major victims and pay the highest prices. (Punch)