Kwara State Government has again shown it's support for women occupying political and non political positions in the state and nation at large.
The Deputy Governor of Kwara State, Elder Kayode Alabi made this known during a peaceful protest by All Women Led Non Governmental Organisations led by the CEO Global Hope for Women and Children, Mrs Christy Abayomi to Government House. He stressed that the power is in the hands of women as there are more women than men in the Country.
Alabi, stated that the cause is allowed as women and every other citizens of the country have the right to ask for whatever as this is democracy, therefore the women have the support of the state and women are expected to come out as card carrying members coming 2023 elections.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Mopelola Abdulmaliq-Bashir who led the protest to Government House after a short meeting with the NGOs at her office earlier, had stated that women should support women, she said women who are capable and able should come out not only as voters but also as card carrying members of a party so as to achieve the cause.
She furthered that she's happy to be part of this cause as one of her duties in the ministry is to ensure that women are mainstreaming into politics and she believes it will be possible as Kwara State is already doing it and more will be done.
Abdulmaliq-Bashir appreciates the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for not being gender biased in appointing his cabinets, "Kwara State have started it and we do not plan to stop, what we want is for others to follow and also to the national level" she stated.
Earlier, The Permanent Secretary of Women Affairs, Hajia Afusat Nike Ibrahim also gave her commendation on the cause, she said the battle has just began and the ministry is in support and ready to fight together.
Also speaking at the meeting was the CEO Global Hope for Women and Children, Mrs Christy Abayomi who led other NGOs, she said the 20% against the proposed 35% of party leadership for women is not accepted. She said Nigerian women were disappointed when the bill was presented yesterday which called for an emergency call of Civil Society Organisations that are women led and women groups to lend their voices to the rejection of the bill and are proposing that the gender bill be revisited because the constitution cannot be ammended without the passage of the gender bill.
Also at the meeting were, Former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Ayinke Saka, Iyaloja Kwara State, Alhaja Adenike Abdulkareem Lambe, State Chairperson Nigeria League of Women Voters, Mrs Folashade Aransiola, CEO Olive Community Development Initiative Mrs Oluwatomi Adeleke, Women for Women Community, Hajia Bilikis Oladimeji among others.
Alafara Damilare Ayinla.