Women activists have decried non-inclusion of women in key government positions in Nigeria.

They described it as not only a form political violence but that it debars stronger voices against rape and other gender based violence.

They spoke at a media dialogue, an initiative of Stand to End Rape held in collaboration with the State Ministry of Women Affairs to advance female participation in politics and decision making.

The event was part of the activities to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based

Addressing the workshop, Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state, Mrs Edema Irom said women are still suffering socio-political neglect.

She said women are not given a level playing field to compete favourably with the men, claiming that most women are intellectually way ahead of the men and many others have better administrative acumen.

She called for inclusion of women in key decision making organs of political parties, state and federal governments, board of multinational firms and other major organizations.

According to her, “Gender Based Violence, GBV, will reduce tremendously if women hold key positions in governments where they can speak out loudly and enforce punishments against culprits.

“95% of GBV cases are women. GBV can be curbed if women get deeply involved in key decision making positions. More women should be included in governance.

“However, I want to charge women not to be waiting to be allotted positions. You must get yourselves prepared ahead of any elections. You must not only participate but do what is legally possible to win.

“We must keep amplifying women’s neglect, and call for inclusion in decision making. ”

Irom advocated that “out of the three senatorial seats, one must always be a preserve of the woman by law.

“And no fewer than two must also be reserved for women in the state and federal constituencies. These would be outside whatever women would win.

“We should insist on proper implementation of the 35% affirmative action.”

Cautioning against being favored for political positions, she strongly advised that women should on their own purchase nomination forms.

“I don’t believe in free things. Let’s be wary about the call for a special seats bill,” she added.

Also speaking, Mercy Akpama, member representing Yakurr state constituency in the House of Assembly expressed the belief that men and women have the same intellectual capacity but that women have better edges.

She said women are more in population and should use it to their advantage, frowning that they are sidelined when it comes to decision making.

Akpama cautioned that women should no longer be used as extras or substitutes, even as she charged them to intensify the advocacy for women inclusions.

Principal counsel at Basix Rights Counsel Initiative, Barrister James Ibor told the women that, “Power is not given on a platter of gold. Nobody will just hand over power to women. You have to fight for it.”

He frowned at the practice in parts of Cross River where women do not have rights to land and property.

The lawyer asked what democracy is if women are perpetually made to be disadvantaged.

Programme officer for Stand To End Rape, Husseini Mohammed explained that the Special Seat Bill now before the National Assembly is meant to increase the number of seats for women in government outside the 35% affirmative action policy, adding that women’s economic power was waining.

Non-inclusion of women in key positions is political violence – Stakeholders