Leadership (Abuja)
Amina Alhassan
22 May 2008
The national women leader of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma, led a delegation of zonal and state women leaders, opinion leaders and BOT NEC members on a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar'Adua in Abuja, yesterday.
The visit was to seek the support of the First Lady for the entrenchment of 30 per ent affirmative action in the constitution as it is being reviewed.
In her remarks, Hajiya Inna Maryam Ciroma pointed out that women should be recognised for the important role they play in nation building and that their high level of support is proof of their commitment.
"We believe in the greatness of this country and if we should have good governance, then women must be carried along. There is no way we can progress as a country if there is not gender balance."
She noted that the international requirement that women should have equal representation in governance was yet to be met. Countries such as Rwanda and Mozambique which are less populated than Nigeria have since complied with the 30 per cent target, while South Africa has surpassed with 50 per cent allocated to women.
The Women Leader urged the first Lady to ensure that Nigeria is not left behind and that the 30 per cent target be entrenched in the constitution.
She pledged her support for Hajiya Turai's fight against HIV/AIDS, infant maternal mortality and educating the girl chid and promised to work together with the first lady to actualise some of her programmes.
In her response, Hajiya Turai Yar'Adua adress, she pleaded with female public officers to be shining examples in their service to the natiopn.
She also urged the PDP women leaders to be peace ambassadors for their various states.
She enjoined women leaders to partner with their wives of the governors of their states during campaigns and awareness programmes in order to empower other women.
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