Court ruling on 35% affirmative action is victory for Nigerian women — Alabi-Adeleke .
A female activist and politician, Dr Adeola Alabi Adeleke , has described the court judgement asking the Federal Government to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action as victory for Nigerian women.
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, delivered judgment in favour of some women groups asking the Federal Government to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action.
In a statement on Thursday, Adeleke, who is very passionate about gender issues, said immediate action should be taken to ensure the ruling of the court is actioned on all sides of the government administration.
She said, “This ruling is a victory for all women in Nigeria. It is, therefore, requested that immediate action is taken to ensure the ruling of the court is actioned on all sides of the government administration.
“It is requested that Affirmative action is adopted by governments, public and private institutions, political parties, educational establishments, corporations and companies to address a history of systemic discrimination and exclusion of particular social groups or to encourage the efforts of particular social groups in the interests of certain development goals. Ensuring that this judgement is immediately actioned is the beginning of reducing inequalities and facilitating the other half of the population to participate in development”, Adeleke said.
“Currently, women’s representation in Nigeria’s Parliament stands at six per cent. Representation of women in government in Nigeria’s Legislature, Local Government and other public service spaces does not reach the United Nations recommended minimum threshold of 35 per cent and the African Union’s threshold of 40 per cent.
“Women’s representation in Nigeria’s Local Governance system stands below 5%. With the ruling of Justice Okorowo, It is time for Nigeria to start working on developing an Affirmative Action Law (AA Law). The AA Law is to promote the full and active participation of women in public life by providing for a more equitable system of representation in electoral politics and governance. Women call on the legislature to ascent to the draft gender bill tabled before Parliament.
Adeleke who has a PhD in History and International Studies, said “Women’s equal participation is critical to building democracy and promoting social progress. This is evidenced by Nigeria’s acceptance of conventions and legal frameworks, such as the Nigerian constitution, National Gender Policy, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“However, the domestication of these plans and legislations toward achieving the goal of women’s equal representation and participation in decision-making processes remains a challenging issue in Nigeria. It is hoped that this victory for women will bring about changes to the rejected five gender bill that failed to sail through a constitutional amendment seeking to reserve special seats for women at the National and State Houses of Assembly.” she said.
