Women Group Commend el-Rufai for Being Gender Sensitive by Selecting Female Deputy
…..ask Him to Fulfill Promise of 40% Affirmative Action
By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna
A women mentoring group, has commended the Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir el-Rufai, for selecting a woman Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, as her deputy in his reelection.
The group, Women Mentoring and Leadership Initiative otherwise known as WAMFOl, said that their commendation was as result of the governor’s nature of being gender sensitive in choosing a woman as a
running mate to serve as deputy Governor as appointing other women in various positions.
The women who are from different political background which cut across the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, according to their President, Hon. Florence Aya, a former member of the House of Representative, has been working to unite women across all sections for development, mobilising and encouraging women for political participation and Leadership.
She also explained that the group also create awareness on gender related issues, sensitize women on their roles and help build self-esteem, train and mentor women at different levels for Leadership.
Provide skill acquisition and economic empowerment programs for women, organize advocacy visits to government and political parties on women issues. Network and collaborate with similar NGOs, male champions and other relevant stakeholders on the way forward for women.
Hon. Florence, further explained that el-Rufai, support for women shows his conviction in women’s abilities in administrative responsibilities, saying, “we also commend your effort in ensuring that women played vital roles in the outgoing dispensation by appointing them as commissioners of some key ministries before the
dissolution of the State cabinet.”
She however called on Governor to do more by fulfilling his promise of ensuring he gives 40% to both women and people living with disabilities.
“As a gender sensitive Governor as you have demonstrated, we urge you to keep
your promise of affirmative action of 40% women and people living with disabilities especially by giving appointments to women who lost elections but did well in their
respective constituencies.
“WAMFOI will continue to support government in nurturing and
mentoring women for political and leadership participation for women to be able to achieve the desired potentials, either elective or appointive.
“We also want to use this opportunity to express our profound gralitude to the Deputy Governor elect our sister Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, National Democratic Institute Leads_Nigeria, Legal Awareness, Gender Awareness Trust especially in pushing for the passage of the Violence against Persons Prohibition Law of 2019 of which women are the most beneficiaries.” She said.
