Ministers’ list: Women express shock over nomination

Posted by admin Ministries, Women Politics Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Nigerian women living abroad have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to consider appointing two women from the Diaspora as Ministers of Women Affairs and Health.

When appointed, they believe the women will bring freshness and newness to the country’s democratic life.

The Diaspora national coordinator, Women for Change and Development Initiative, Dr. Stella Alhassan, told Sunday Tribune from the United States of America that Nigerian women abroad were shocked that the list submitted by the president for ministerial consideration fell short of the 35 per cent minimal representation being canvassed by women.

Their concerns were heightened by the fact that not only that the Beijing Declaration of September 1995 upheld elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the National Gender Policy had been formulated to promote a 35 per cent affirmative action for them.

Dr Alhassan disclosed that Nigerian women were reassured by President Jonathan throughout his campaign that their lots would change for better this time through greater involvement in governance.

Expressing fear that women may never get it right if they fail this time, the women’s coordinator sincerely appealed to Jonathan to renew the faith which women across the country and beyond reposed in him and accord women a place of pride in his government.

She said, “The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs need to have a seasoned Diaspora woman with background in social work/services if the reform and change we seek can be attainable during your tenure.”

-Tribunewp_posts