BY IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY.
Chief Iyom Josephine Anenih, former Minister of Women Affairs and Chairperson 25th Anniversary Local Organising Committee(LOC) of the Nigeria League of Women Voters of Nigeria(NILOWV), has stated that women are usually stigmatised and attacked if they are involved in any issue citing the example of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Patricia Etteh, who was impeached and whom she alleged was set up by “powers that be.”
The former Minister was speaking while announcing the programmes of event of the 25th anniversary celebration of the group which holds in Benin City.
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) is a registered non-governmental, non-partisan, not for profit organization founded by Dame Dr Esther Uduehi in 1996 following the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing to support women’s advancement in Politics, Public Affairs and National development.
A grassroots NGO with members in all 36 States of the federation and FCT, the League attracts to itself girls and women from age 18 years and above for mentoring, sensitization, and education especially on their civic rights and responsibilities. NILOWV has engaged all major Political Parties, Agencies and Institutions like the
National Assembly for policy and law reforms to increase women’s access and participation in public life.
She said that the theme of the conference ‘Full and Equal Participation of Women in Public Life and Leadership’ “is to enable the league to fully explore the progress made by women in public life and leadership these past 25 years, the challenges, and what more needs to be done by all stakeholders in that direction as it has become an established fact that no nation can develop when half of her population is held back.”
According to her, “NILOWV like her counterparts all over the world continues to encourage and empower our women and girls to be more informed and active in politics and governance.
“We are glad to note that in Nigeria, women have become highest number of voters, but we are striving to see their utilisation of their votes to increase women participation in decision making in politics and governance through voting for women to occupy such positions.”
Activities marking the 25th anniversary celebration of NILOWV commences on Friday, November 19th, 2021, at the University of Benin main campus .