Women group urges Ihedioha to implement affirmative action

By Val Okara, Owerri

A group, the Imo Gender Forum has urged the Imo state Governor, Emeka Ihedioha to give women opportunity to contribute their quota to the development and good governance of the state.

Imo Gender Forum, a non -political women organisation in the state made the plea at a press conference held in Owerri,

State Coordinator of the group, Prisca Durueke stated that the governor, in keeping to the United Nations resolution on gender equality should in his appointments consider the 35 per cent affirmative action.

She said that women should not only be carried along in the appointments across board, but should also be assigned to critical positions in the government.

According to her, the immediate past Governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha did a lot in allowing women to participate in his administration, but “it is imperative that Gov. Ihedioha tries and exceeds Okorocha’s effort in that regard.

“The call for the full implementation of the 35 per cent affirmative action, which ideally would encourage women participation in politics and governance, is one that should still not be taken with kid gloves by any state administration.

“Down here in Imo state, we are mindful of the efforts made in the past to give boost to women participation in politics and governance through appointments and party tickets, but that notwithstanding, there is still visible gaps or rather low engagement of women in politics and governance in the state.

“We therefore, want to use this opportunity to appeal to our governor to hearken to our call that Imo women deserve more than what we have gotten in terms of opportunities to political participation.”