By Cajetan Mmuta
A coalition of women organizations, the Nwanyi Bu Ife Advocacy group in Anambra State on Tuesday decried low participation of women in politics and governance in the State.

They urged the legislative institution in the state to accord women their rightful position with maximum security through legislatiolegislationns.

The women during a peaceful protest at the State House of Assembly in Awka displayed placards with different inscriptions such as, “Nigerian women matter and their votes will count in 2023”, “Give women more Voice”, “Nigeria cannot make progress without women”.

Others are, “Marriages render women stateless in Nigeria”, “Stop the subjugation of women” and “Women are half the population, 35 percent is not too much” among others.

The spokesperson for the group, Dr. Cordelia Uzoezie, said they were at the Assembly to submit the Women Agenda for the lawmakers to appreciate the problems facing women in the state and make laws to alleviate their plights.

She said, “We planned strategic advocacies and came up with the Anambra Women Agenda to drive the progress and development of women in the state.

“The agenda will improve women’s participation in leadership, governance, and elective politics in the state.

Also, the group’s secretary, Anekwe Eucharia Ijeoma said, “We need the legislature to make laws to protect women’s rights, promote women inclusiveness in government, both in elected and appointed positions.

“We need legislation that will strengthen and uphold the values of equality and inclusivity that lie at the heart of democracy.”

President Buhari approves new NBC board

Addressing the protesters, a lawmaker representing Onitsha South ll Constituency and a member of the House Committee on Gender, Mrs. Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, regretted the outnumbering of women in both the legislative and executive arms of government despite their population.

“I’m the only female in the state House of Assembly, it is unfortunate, therefore, we need to change the narrative by ensuring that more women participate and vie for elective positions come 2023.

“I promise to continue to use my position to push for legislation that will empower and promote women inclusiveness in Anambra,” she stated