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*_…calls for increased women participation in politics_*
The Executive Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, Dr. Eric Osayande, on Wednesday, received members of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), charging them to use their influence to get more women involved in the business of governance of their communities.
The Chairman, who received the guests, led by a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. (Mrs.) Inumidun Idehen, at the Council Secretariat, Idogbo, Benin City, said his administration will continue to support programmes and policies aimed at ending organized violence against women and girls in the LGA, while calling for more women/girls participation in governance.
Addressing members of the NCWS, the Chairman said his administration “will continue to support policies, reforms to protect women and girls against gender-based violence; be rest assured that, at the local government level, we will continue to support your efforts to stamp out the violence against women and girls.”
The National Council of Women's Societies, also known by its acronym NCWS, founded in 1959, is a Nigerian non-governmental and non-partisan women's organization composed of a network of independent women organizations in Nigeria binding together to use NCWS' platform to advocate gender welfare issues to the government and society.
Osayande said, "women participation is key to our administration as we have committed lots of resources to get more women into the fold; my Deputy is a woman, we have ten Councilors, five of which are women, we also have a very good representation of women as Heads of various departments, we are very women friendly, and will continue to protect the rights of women.”
Noting that his administration is gender sensitive, Osayande stated that his administration reposes implicit confidence in women and will continue to propose and support women development programmes across all spheres.
He noted, "in Ikpoba-Okha, we don't overlook gender issues; We are in line with what the NCWS represents as a group; you represent equity, fairness, justice and unity in Nigeria; regardless of the systemic marginalisation of women, you keep advocating; your struggle is healthy for the unity and welfare of our Country, that is why, at our level, we will do everything necessary, to support your cause.”
Acknowledging the Council Chairman's efforts, leader of the group and a former Commissioner in Edo State, Dr. (Mrs.) Inumidu idehen, said the group was impressed with the fair representation of women in the Osayande-led administration; "going by what I have seen so far, particularly in the area of women participation, I am convinced that your administration is truly gender friendly."
“We will take the message of your administration's gender friendliness to our people; it is not common to find equity and fairness in many administrations; yours is unique, balanced and very fair, creating room for unity and inclusive participation."
"We will also be willing to partner with you in diverse ways to continually eradicate gender-based, and all forms of violence against women and girls", she added.
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