By Haruna Salami
As National Assembly receives memoranda for constitutional amendment at various geopolitical zones of the country, the National Coordinator of Excellent Women International, Dr. Christabel Okoye has called for the implementation of Beijing Declaration on women in the constitution.
Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly, Dr. Christabel said the current constitutional amendment should provide for one-quarter of House of Representatives members should be women.
According to her, women are very important segment of the population with passion to do the right thing.
“We are mothers, we have passion for doing the right thing. When women are included, you see a lot of difference. Sorry to say, so many women are not corrupt. Women are out to build. So, I plead that one-quarter of women be included in this constitution for a new beginning”.
For the Senate and other elected positions, she said one out of the three senatorial districts in each state should be reserved for women and two for men.
“One senator should be a woman and two men from every state. This is a very good consideration for us as women. But currently in the 10th Senate, out of 109, we have only three women in the Senate. Is it not laughable, funny and insignificant? The number is almost nothing, it’s zero; it’s not fair”.
Dr. Christabel also expressed dissatisfaction with women appointment into offices, adding that “let Beijing Declaration (30% Affirmative Action) be included in the constitutional amendment. Let 30% of appointments go to the women. Please, consider women, we are human beings and we have this heart to do things right. Beijing has declared it and so many countries have implemented it. why won’t Nigeria do the same?
She debunked the believed that women are the enemies of themselves as women don’t support women in election. Instead she is of the view that women are not as strong as men.
