“We have come to tell the world, that the women of Edo State have been marginalized. We formed the majority when it comes to voting but when it comes to elective positions, they keep the women aside. They want to give us appointing positions so that they can keep the women aside.
The Edo State chapter of the National Council of Women’s Society of Nigeria yesterday said its members would boycott the forthcoming 2019 general elections if the 35 percent affirmation action of the United Nations charter was not adhered to by the federal and state governments.
Its president, Mrs. Omoluru Aigbokhae Eniye, said this in Benin during a protest against alleged marginalisation of women.
“We are taking a stand either to boycott the election or ask the women not to vote because we have been cheated for a long time and want to correct that.
“We have come to tell the world, that the women of Edo State have been marginalized. We formed the majority when it comes to voting but when it comes to elective positions, they keep the women aside. They want to give us appointing positions so that they can keep the women aside.
“We watch President Muhammadu Buhari while making his speech United Nation Assembly, he drummed support for the inclusion of women in politics in Nigeria but unfortunately, women are relegated to the back ground and we are saying no”, she said.
Omoluru said for 12 years, the Edo State House of Assembly had only had one woman as a member.
“I am here to present a position paper to NUJ. It is very simple, 35 percent affirmative action. If at the house assembly here, we have 24 members by 35 percent, we ought to have eight women but we are not asking for eight,” she said.