By DEBORAH COKER
Benin- An Edo Women’s Group, Edo Women in Politics (EWP), has canvassed that automatic tickets be given to all female aspirants in all parties, who have declared interest in any elective position.
This is contained in a statement on Friday, in Benin, by Mrs. Eunice Dawodu, Coordinator of the group.
Dawodu said it is hypocritical to give free nomination forms or forms at reduced prices to female aspirants and then still subject them to contesting with their male counterparts during primaries.
She particularly called on the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), being the ruling party in Edo, to take the lead by giving automatic tickets to all female aspirants who have passed the party’s screening.
“Giving the women free forms is not enough because they are still subjected to competing with their male counterparts and in the process, many of them still lose out.
“The PDP, being the ruling party in Edo, should take the lead in this campaign by granting automatic tickets to all their female aspirants and in areas where they are more than one, the primary election should be conducted within them.
“This request has become necessary because it has been discovered that women who dare to aspire are usually overwhelmed during the primary election by their male counterparts who most times have access to more resources, especially finance.
“The essence of the 36 per cent affirmative action is to encourage more women into politics and if it continues this way, it’s essence will be defeated,” she said. (NAN)