Jega to aid women’s participation in politics

Jega to aid women’s participation in politics

CHAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, Tuesday called on all political parties to remove all exiting barriers to women participation as they prepare for the 2015 general elections.

   Jega made the call at the INEC Gender Policy public presentation in Abuja, assuring Nigerian women that the commission would partner the political parties to ensure they are not subjected to unnecessary challenges as they aspire to be prominent in the country’s democratic process.

   Unveiling the INEC gender policy in Abuja, Jega noted that given the number of women in the country and their very important role and responsibilities, they must be actively involved in legislative and governance processes.

   According to him, the objectives of the INEC gender policy is to encourage gender equity and balance within political parties, and to increase budgetary provision and mobilize partners to effectively provide funding for gender-sensitive actions within their purview.

   “The policy is also aimed at supporting an enabling legislative environment to achieve gender equality and bridge gaps in political representation in elective posts at all electoral level,” he said.

   Jega further noted that the INEC gender policy is not an isolated document, having been drawn from the National Gender Policy (2006) and the Vision 20:2020 document

SOURCE: The Guardian News