Lawmaker urges parties to reserve key elective positions for women

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Aisha Dukku, has called on political parties to reserve some key positions for women as a way of increasing their participation in politics.

Dukku, who is currently representing Dukku/ Nafada Federal Constituency in Gombe State, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

She said that the decline in the number of women vying for elective positions in the country was worrisome and urged political parties to give more support to female politicians beyond offering free forms for the women to contest for positions of their choices.

"Of course they can do it beyond giving the forms free.

"There is a lot that can be done; constitutionally the parties can make their own constitutions to say that certain positions are supposed to be made available for women as it is done in other countries.

"So if Nigeria decides to adopt that, I think the women will increase in number in any political situation.’’

According to her, the political terrain is not easy even for the men folk and the Nigerian woman is a woman that has to battle under a very bad atmosphere, stressing that ''if it is politics, she is not welcome’’.

Dukku urged the women to utilize their strength in population to advance their course in politics.

"Half of the Nigerian population or even more are women and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria allows us to contest, to vote and be voted for.

"So, the point I am emphasizing is that the environment has to be conducive and of course we have the support of our people.’’

Dukku further described the decline in the number of female legislators in the country as unfortunate.

"Unfortunately, this is happening at a time that women in other climes are making steady progress with regards to representation at their national and state parliaments,’’ she said.

NAN reports that out of the 360 members of the House of Representatives in the 8th assembly, 14 are women, 13 less than the 27 women in the 7th assembly.