ABUJA – Women groups under the aegis of ‘Women-in-Action,’ have endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for second term for the sustenance of their empowerment.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
This is contained in a communique issued on Saturday at the end of a Town Hall meeting of the groups held on Friday in Lagos.
The meeting was convened by Chief Florence Ita-Giwa.
The women said President Jonathan’s return to power would lead to the sustenance of women empowerment and the 35 per cent affirmative action started by his administration.
“There is need to return President Jonathan in the next election, so as to sustain what we have and to increase the number of elective positions for women,’’ the communiqué stated.
It enjoined women “to develop effective outreach strategies to increase their participation and ultimately boost their ability to be a significant voting bloc.”
It urged women to build coalition and political alliances under the leadership of Women-in-Action to further promote their interest.
The communiqué enjoined women to focus on opportunities for counselling, mentoring and grooming of young women for future electoral opportunities.
Participants, according to the communiqué, suggested that a non-governmental platform for sensitisation, education, awareness creation for the empowerment of women in politics should be developed.
“Political parties should come up with a policy that states that when you have a male president, the vice-president should be a woman.’’
The communiqué said the participants challenged women who had benefited from the 35 per cent affirmative action by the president to empower other women to occupy the same political space.
It urged women to actively participate in politics and ensure the protection of the rights of women.
The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, was represented at the meeting by Chief Olajumoke Akinjide, the Minister of State for FCT.
Others who attended the meeting were women from the public and private sectors, faith-based organisations, NAWOJ, Market women among others. (NAN)