By Ene Osang
Abuja
The World Affirmative Action Awards International has called for more commitment to gender equality even as it lamented the low global ranking of the country on gender equality.
WAFAA is gender based non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The founding President of WAFAA, Dr. Hephzibah Suobo, made the call in Abuja during its national meeting tha heralds the year’s activities, stressing that it was high time a woman became Nigeria’s President.
According to Suobo, many women are capable of ruling Nigeria to bring the desired change abound, yet they are not visible in governance and leadership in general.
He noted that smaller African countries like Rwanda ranked among the top 10 in the world on gender sensitivity, while Nigeria continues to lead top down day despite being a signatory to so many laws on equality.
“It is disheartening and shocking that Nigeria the giant of Africa have only few women in governance.There are over 17 laws supporting women that Nigeria is signatory to, yet we hardly have implemented any of them practically.
“Countries like Liberia, South Korea, Brazil, Germany, Argentina amongst others have all produced females as presidents but in Nigeria, we have women in their numbers yet they are not visible in governance and leadership,” he decried.
He also expressed displeasure at the current insecurity situation, saying the wanton killing of women and children by Fulani herdsmen needed urgent attention.
“Maybe if a woman was the President, all the killings wouldn’t have happened because a woman will not sit and watch her child dies or carry out evil acts.
“It is high time we all consider supporting a female candidate for the presidency. It is not enough to call for another presidential candidate, women should come out for the presidency,” he stressed.
“Many countries have produced female presidents except Nigeria, and equal representation in governance has remained a mirage,” he lamented.
Earlier, the Vice President World Assembly of Youth (WAY) Comrade Preye Ketebu-Brown, said it was everyone’s responsibility to advocate for gender equality, while noting the importance of women to nation building.
