Women want equal opportunity to contribute to national dev’t not rub shoulders with men – Barr. Altine
Barrister Altine Ibrahim has called on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, state governors and the members of the national and state legislatures, and other relevant stakeholders to support the 35% Affirmative Action for women and the passing of the Gender Bills for the betterment of women and the development of Nigeria.
Barrister Altine Ibrahim is the Executive Director of Sahel Initiative for Justice to Women and Children (SIJWAC), Chairperson of Women LED Network of CSOs Yobe (WOLNY) member in one of the clusters called WOMENIFESTO Which is collaborating with Women Advocate Research and Documentation (WARDC).
In this interview with Neptune Prime correspondent, the SIJWAC Director revealed that women are not saying they are going to rub shoulders with men against culture and religion but only asking for an equal opportunity to enable them to contribute to the development of Nigeria.
N.P: What do the Gender Bills and the implementation of the 35% affirmative action for women entail?
Barr Altine: It’s the National Gender Policy (NGP) that formulated a 35% Affirmative Action (AA) in Nigeria since 2006. This policy demands that 35% of women be involved in all governance processes. The NGP is recognised but is not practiced.
N.P: What are some of the importance of Gender Bills and why do you think it is paramount for the National Assembly to revisit it?
Barr Altine: Men often make decisions on issues that concern women because the women who know their own issues are not in place to do that. Gender Bills would help women in contributing their potential to preventing violence against women and girls. It’s also essential for economic prosperity. Societies that value women and give them equal opportunity are safer and healthier. Gender equality is a human right and human rights are also women’s rights.
The Gender Bills are important because of the following reasons;
1. Essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.
2. Ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents.
3. Improved national productivity and economic growth
4. Gender equality prevents violence against women and girls. Gender inequality is a root cause of violence against women. Just to mention but a few.
N.P: Is 35% Affirmative Action different from equal opportunity for women?
Barr Altine: 35% AA is just one aspect of equal opportunity.
N.P: Do you think the rights of women are being entrenched in Nigeria?
Barr Altine: The supreme law in Nigeria, the Constitution, has many sections dealing with issues that affect women. The 1999 Constitution in Article 15(2) and Article 42(1) (a) and (b) (2) and (3) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex and ensure that men and women have equal rights but in some cases such rights are silent on the side of women.
N.P: Which organisations will you call upon to actively support these bills to come to reality?
Barr Altine: While I congratulate the new president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governors and the members of the national and state legislatures, I’m calling on all of them, the Federal and State Ministry of Women Affairs, the Federal and States Attorney Generals and Minister of Justice and commissioners and all concerned stakeholders such as the traditional and religious leaders to support this movement for the betterment of our dear country.
N.P: Speaking about the 35% Affirmative Action for women, are you hopeful that we will have a woman president in Nigeria?
Barr Altine: I’m hoping so with support from fellow women, youth and male counterparts since we have already started having women coming out to contest. All that is required is time, mobilisation and support.
N.P: What efforts has your organisation been making to advance gender equality and do you have any call to women in Nigeria?
Barr Altine: The efforts my organisation is making are advocacy, sensitisation and awareness creation to let people know that women are not saying they are going to rub shoulders with men against culture and religion but only asking for an equal opportunity to enable them to contribute their quarter in the development of this country.
Barr Altine: I’m calling on women to come out and contest for more political offices and we should be our sisters’ keepers by giving them all the necessary support they may need.
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