By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The Nigerian Girls Guides Association (NGGA), a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) has partnered the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), UN Woman National Orientation Agency (NOA) National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and community leaders in an efforts to encourage women’s participation in the electoral process.
Flagging off the programme with the Theme: Citizenship Building, Women Rights to Active Political Participation and Decision Making at the mini auditorium of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elder Omisine Ogban, the state Director National Orientation Agency (NOA) urged girls and women to actively participate in the Continuous Voter’s Registration Exercise.
Ogban who was represented by the Information Officer of NOA, Godwin Nling commended the Girls Guide Association for it’s efforts in sensitization of the electoral process.
The State Commissioner for NGGA, Rachel Ekanem, in her remarks stated that the essence of the campaign is to encourage young girls and women to participate in the Continuous Voter’s Registration Exercise in the state.
According to her, over 70 percent of women in Cross River State do have NIN and PVC which is very alarming.
“What we are doing is to encourage our Women to get their NIN and PVC so as to be able to vote and be voted for. Participate, don’t sit on the fence”
In a paper presentation by Dr Angela Ajimase, Executive Director of WHO CARES Organization, said women constitutes 49.08 of the total population of estimated at 180 million people
She however lamented that their numerical strength is not reflected in the decision making process of the country.
According to her, the overall participation of women in politics in Nigeria is very low, women rarely occupy high political office, be it in military or civilian regimes.
“In spite of their efforts in the past elections, Women have consistently performed poorly as no women have ever been elected chairmen of any political party”
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