A Civil Society Organization (CSO), the Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development (BIGIF), has urged the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to abide by the 35 per cent affirmative action in the appointment of women into offices in the state.
BIGIF Executive Director, Oluwatumininu Adedeji, made the call in a statement on Thursday, April 6.
Adedeji, who commended the governor for creating a committee on political appointments, described it as a significant opportunity to achieve the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in Ekiti State.
She noted that implementing the affirmative action for women would be in line with the governor’s electioneering and inauguration promises and existing legal frameworks for gender equality.
According to Adedeji, the current government had not relented in enlisting qualified women into the service of the state through appointments. She therefore urged the committee on political appointments to prioritize the reservation of a minimum of 35 per cent of political appointments for women in Ekiti State.
She highlighted that the state made history during the March 18, 2023 House of Assembly election by having the highest number of female elected lawmakers in Nigeria, stating that achieving the 35 per cent affirmative action in women’s appointment would further set an unprecedented feat for the state, making it a positive example for other sub-national governments.
To achieve the affirmative action for women, Adedeji noted that her Foundation had secured the commitment of all candidates for the 2022 Ekiti governorship election to fully implement the Ekiti Women Agenda (EWA), which includes 35 per cent affirmative action for women, when elected.
Adedeji explained that the “Stop Violence against Women in Politics” campaign recently held in the state was aimed at addressing the problem of violence against women in politics, which deters active and full participation of women in politics, especially during elections.
She noted that the campaign was held with the support of USAID and the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office through the National Democratic Institute.
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