The leadership of the Adamawa Women in Politics, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) and the Special Reserved Seats for Women has kicked against the exclusion of women’s candidacy for the House of Assembly by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While briefing newsmen in Yola on Thursday, the leadership of the women’s associations protested the exclusion of six women who contested for the assembly seats from various constituencies.
Speaking, the Coordinator of Adamawa State Women in Politics, Comfort Ibrahim, said that the women in politics, are an advocacy association committed to promoting women’s inclusion, equity, and participation in governance.
Comfort Ibrahim expressed dismay and disappointment over the outcome of the APC primary for the assembly, lamenting that initially they had only one female lawmaker at the assembly and hoped for more women but the reverse was the case as no single woman emerged as a candidate among those who contested.
According to her, the development is not only discouraging but a setback to the collective aspirations for inclusive governance, democratic fairness, and gender balanced representation in decision-making processes.
She noted that the absence of female candidates raises concerns about the commitment to gender equity, fairness, and the democratic principle of equal representation.
She said that it further creates a dangerous vacuum where the voices, concerns, and interests of women may not adequately be represented in legislative deliberations and policy formulations.
She observed that issues affecting women and children may not receive the attention they deserve when women themselves are denied seats at the table of governance, and stressed the importance of equity and fairness.
According to the coordinator, “it is not too late to correct the imbalance and demonstrate genuine commitment to gender fairness to build a more inclusive, progressive and democratic society where every voice matters”.
Also speaking Arziki Andrawus Sawa, called on Governor Fintiri to create opportunities for women while emphasising the need for more women in leadership positions.
She called for a collective effort to ensure that women are counted and recognised as equal contributors to society, urging him to remember the contributions of women and continue supporting their representation more especially at the House of Assembly.
She appealed to political leaders, traditional institutions, religious leaders, youth groups, and all well-meaning citizens to support the course of women’s inclusion and equitable representation.
