By CECILIA OLOGUNAGBA
NEW YORK- The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen has called on women to vote for female candidates in the forthcoming 2023 general elections to enhance women participation in politics.
Tallen made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York on the Sidelines of the 77th session of UN General Assembly.
“I want to say it louder and clear that women should focus more on supporting women in all the elections; women have been badly ignored, they have not been given their rightful place by all the political parties.
“I therefore, call on woman to ensure that for any woman that has been able to secure a ticket, we should all go out to support her.
“She (Mrs Aishatu Binani) is the only candidate that I’m calling with a loud voice to mobilise support for and other women vying for various position,’’ she said.
According to her, women need to make history by voting for the only female gubernatorial candidate from Adamawa, Mrs Aishatu Binani.
Binani became the first female governorship aspirant to win a primary election to represent a major political party, APC, in the forthcoming general elections.
Tallen said women should rally support for Binani to ensure she wins, noting that she is loved by her people.
The minister said has done well and women need to push through their votes that Nigeria produces the first elected woman in office during this leadership of President by 2023 elections.
Tallen said women had a key role to play in ensuring a peaceful election as well contributing to the growth and development of the country through their leadership skills.
“Women are peacemakers, and you know that every election, success of every election depends on the participation of women and the youth.
“Women don’t just go with adult children. We ensure that our youth fully participate,’’ she said.
On protecting the rights of women, Tallen said the ministry had been advocating for publishment for sexual offenders, working with the security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force.
“We have intensified advocacy to ensure that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 is fully domesticated across the 36 states.
“So far now we have about 35 states that have domesticated the VAPP Act and the Child Right Act 34 states. That is a big breakthrough compared to when I assumed office that it was only nine states that had domesticated the VAPP Act and 12 states, Child Right Act.
“We are hoping that by the end of this administration all states would have domesticated the two Acts, not only to domestic them but implement them,’’
According to her, under VAPP Act, the naming and shaming of perpetrators of rape and all forms of gender-based violence is there.
Tallen, however, commended Ekiti, Lagos and Kwara for implementing the Act and providing a register of convicted sexual offenders.
“We are calling on all other states not just to domestic the VAPP Act and Child Right Act but to implement them,’’ (NAN)
