IWD: I ask ask Checed accelerated action for the political allure of women

The center of resources for human rights and civil education (Chrried) has invited the interested parties to use the occasion of the international women’s day (IWD) to accelerate the action for the political integration of women in every leadership sphere, as well as fascinating the profound respect and value for women in the conduct of social affairs.

A statement jointly signed by the program manager, Victor Emejuiwe, Communications officer, Frera Isiaka and Gender Desk Officer, Falilat Adamu Read: “As We Celebrate The International Women’s Day, The Resource Center for Human Rights and Civic Education (Chriced) Use This Occasion to Call on Stakeholders This Call is in line with the Beijing Declaration that provides for Equal Rights and Dumpnity of Women and the National Gender Policy Which Also Makes Provision for a Just Society Devir of Discrimination, in which the needs and concerns of women and other genre are integrated fairly in all sectors of national development.

“In Chried, we strongly disapprove of the actions that aim to undermine women as they strive to achieve their dreams and goals. These actions include, but are not limited to, violence in the workplace against women, sexual harassment and the coercion of transactional sex in exchange for favors. These actions not only violate women’s rights, but also perpetuate a culture of fear and silence that hinder progress towards gender equality. “

The declaration added: “In light of this, Chried expresses a profound concern for the recent accusations of sexual harassment leveled against the president of the Senate Godswill Akpabio of the distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan. Although the complete details of the interactions between the two senators may not be available to the public, it is essential that a global and impartial investigation is conducted to ascertain the truth.

“This is particularly urgent given that Senator Akpabio has faced similar accusations in the past, including accusations of misconduct sexual conduct by the former chief of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) during his period of minister in the Bohari administration. This model of behavior raises serious questions about the responsibility and treatment of women in power positions.

“We praise Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan for her courage in speaking against harassment and refusal to keep silent in a predominantly male Senate. His actions not only highlight the challenges faced by women in political spaces, but also act as a beacon of hope and inspiration for women from all over the world who have suffered similar experiences. It is essential that his courage is recognized and supported, as it encourages a culture of transparency and responsibility.

“The supporters of Chd for an independent non -partisan investigation on these accusations, underlining the importance of allowing the law to follow its complete course. An in -depth investigation is essential not only to support the dignity of the office of the President of the Senate, but also to maintain the integrity of the government’s legislative branch, which is the second arm of governance. Without this integrity, the legislative body risks losing its moral authority to issue laws that protect vulnerable women and individuals, effectively reporting a tacit acceptance of sexual harassment in the workplace.

“In order to ensure that the investigations take place freely from prejudices and external influence, the Center for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (Chried) strongly urges Senator Godswill Akpabio to take into consideration temporarily resigning from his position as President of the Senate.

“We recommend delegating his responsibilities towards his deputy for the duration of the investigation. This proposed action is not simply a procedural formality; It is a critical step towards the promotion of an environment that is in favor of discovering the truth. By removing any potential conflicts of interest and mitigating the impact of the dynamics of power, we can create a more transparent and impartial investigative process. The integrity of the investigation is fundamental, as it refers directly to the commitment of the Senate towards justice and responsibility. When those in power positions are involved in examination issues, there is an intrinsic risk that their influence can distort the results or dissuade the witnesses from going on. By temporarily renouncing his role, Senator Akpabio would not only have shown a commitment to transparency, but would also strengthen the dedication of the Senate to support the principles of justice.

“In addition, we believe that the implementation of these measures is essential to establish a safer and more fair environment for all individuals within the Senate, in particular for women. The current climate can discourage women and other groups marginalized by expressing their concerns or to participate fully in the political process. Taking decisive actions to ensure that the investigation is conducted without the shadow of power looming on it, we can help cultivate a culture of respect, security and equality. The senator of the need to ask Akpabio to take this important step for the good of the survey and the integrity of the Senate. In this way, not only would act in the best interest of justice, but also to establish a precedent for responsibility and ethical leadership that could inspire trust in the legislative process among all citizens, in particular those who have historically dealt with obstacles to participation.

The Center added that the participation of women in politics is a critical question that transcends simple recognition; It requires a robust and unified commitment by political parties and officials elected at all levels of governance, from the presidency to state governors and local leaders. This commitment is essential for the actual implementation of the affirmative action of 35 % for women, a policy that aims to ensure that women are adequately represented in political decision -making processes. Since women represent 49% of the population in Nigeria, they occupy only six percent of leadership roles both in the corporate and public sectors, the current gender disparity is not only a statistics; It is a significant barrier to the progress of Nigeria. This sub -representation suffocates the potential contributions of women to national development, limiting the country’s ability to exploit the entire spectrum of talents and prospects available in its population. “

The center also added that “in light of these urgent problems, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu adopt a proactive and decisive approach to safeguard women’s rights in Nigeria. In the spirit of the sacred month of Ramadan, we specifically invoke the Muslim presidency-Musulman of the Bola Tinubu EPC to take the following actions:

“Investigating the accusations of sexual harassment: we ask the President to direct the appropriate security agencies to conduct an in -depth and impartial investigation on the accusations of sexual harassment against the President of the Senate. This step is crucial not only for responsibility, but also to strengthen the message that this behavior is unacceptable in any form of governance.

“Implement the reforms of the political party: it is essential that the champion president the reforms of the political party that require all political parties in Nigeria to reserve a minimum of 35 % of the positions for women, both in elective and appointed capacities. This provision was part of the five gender invoices that were unfortunately rejected by the previous Senate. By setting this representation, we can start dismantling the systemic barriers that historically marginalized women in politics.

“Reintroduces gender bills: we urge the president to reintroduce the five gender invoices as executive proposals, which have been rejected by the ninth Senate. These invoices are fundamental to improve women’s rights through social, political and economic spheres and their reintroduction would signal a commitment for equality and gender empowerment.

“In addition, we invite all levels of government to implement and respect policies that give power to women economically, socially and politically. This includes the rigorous application of laws and policies designed to protect women from violence, sexual harassment and all forms of intimidation. By creating a safe and supporting environment for women, we can encourage their active participation in all aspects of governance processes. “