Reserve 35% appointment for women in your cabinet, CSOs tell Tinubu 

Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have asked Bola Tinubu, president-elect, to ensure the appointment of at least 35 percent of women in his cabinet.

The CSOs said this will boost women’s political participation.

In March 2022, a bill seeking affirmative action to ensure that 35 percent of women are involved in all governance processes was rejected by the national assembly during the voting on constitutional amendment bills.

Speaking on Wednesday at “TheWomanAgenda”, a virtual meeting organised by Women Radio 91.7, Bukky Shonibare, executive director of Invictus Africa, urged the incoming administration to enact laws that successive presidents can leverage on to ensure that more women are included in the political sphere.

Shonibare noted the campaign promises of the president-elect and urged him to keep to his words to mandate the federal executives to reserve a minimum number of senior positions for women in politics.

Adaora Sydney-Jack, executive director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, urged Tinubu to analyse the 2021 revised national gender policy and ensure its implementation.

Sydney-Jack also asked women to join political parties “despite the results of the just-concluded elections”, and continue to demand their inclusion in politics.

On his part, Auwal Musa, executive director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, urged the president-elect to reintroduce gender bills rejected by the 9th national assembly to allow political reforms and equitable women participation in the decision-making process and governance.

“Female politicians should not deter in their quest for adequate representation in statutory positions,” he said.

TheWomanAgenda is aimed at increasing women’s political participation and advocacy for adequate representation for women in appointive positions.