Gender

A civil Society Organisation (CSO), Women Situation Room Nigeria, says it will partner News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to tackle violence against women in politics.

Prof. Joy Onyesoh, National Coordinator, Women Situation Room Nigeria, stated this when she led a team to pay courtesy visit to NAN, Enugu Office on Friday.

Onyesoh said she had embarked on peace tour across the six geo political zones, including FCT, for the upcoming elections in the country.

“We have been meeting critical stakeholders and NAN is the most critical stakeholder because they share perceptions and inspire personality.

“So we are here today to inform you about our activities for the upcoming election and seek your collaboration with the work you are doing,” Onyesoh said.

She added that the group was created in 2015 during the general elections to support women and ensure there was inclusive participation of them in electoral processes.

According to her, the group also promotes peaceful election and ensure high representation of women in politics and zero tolerance against them in politics.

The coordinator hinted that she had met with aspirants, stressing that they were committed to equal field for women participation in politics without any form of violence against them.

“We are monitoring their process of campaigning as well as political environment. We have early warning and response centre where we get feedback from people on what they see in terms of violence against women.

“For election, we are going to officially open a national observatory on Feb. 21 with the toll free number 080034259776, to receive calls across the 36 states of the federation, including FCT,” she said.

Onyesoh, while calling on Nigerians to vote for any candidate of their choice, warned them not to let scarcity of fuel, cash and insecurity make them think that 2023 election would be violence.

“The election is very important and we are calling women to come out and excercise their franchise.”

Responding, the Zonal Manager, NAN Enugu, Mrs Maureen Atuonwu, assured her that the agency would partner and work with her to achieve the objectives.

She said NAN, with its staff positioned in different areas of the state during the election, could help send their situation reports from each area.

The zonal manager expressed regrets that most female aspirants found it difficult to speak to the public, through the press, on why they should be elected.

“I think this is because most of them lack confidence and I want you to work towards this area,” she told Onyesoh. (NAN) 

E.C

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