Group urges Anambra women traders to aspire for leadership positions

By Praise Chinecherem

Executive Director, Social and Integral Development Centre, (SIDEC) Ugochi Ehiahuruike, has charged women traders in markets across Anambra State to aspire for leadership positions.

This, according to her, will give them the opportunity to bring their competencies to bear in the quest to achieve sustainable societal development.

Ehiahuruike gave the charge while addressing some women at Afor-Igwe market, Umudioka in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State as part of Citizens Mobilization for Awareness Creation on Gender Equity, Social Inclusion and Accountability project.

The sensitization was organized for Anambra Central Senatorial District by SIDEC in collaboration with the Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, (JONAPWD), the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS).

It was supported by Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) in partnership with Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa (PAACA).

“Without a man, there will be no woman. We are here to complement what the men are doing. Men are the head but women are the neck without which the head will not stand. So, we are very important.

Ehiahuruike decried the steady decline in women representation in elective positions especially in legislative and executive arms of government in Anambra State.

“There was a time we had up to five or six women in the House of Assembly. In fact, for two regimes, we had women speakers.

“Unfortunately, as I speak, we have only one woman in the 30-member house of assembly. Also, one woman among 21 local government chairpersons. Even in the Governor’s cabinet, the ratio does not favour women.

“I anticipate a situation where women will be given opportunity to occupy elective positions without discrimination.

“Across markets in Anambra State, we will like to see where a man is the chairman, a woman will be Secretary. In fact, no law bars a woman from being the chairman of market associations.

“In Afor-Igwe, we want to see women elected into the market executive. We want to see women coming up.”

SIDEC boss also called on the women traders to get ready and mobilize fellow women to participate in the electioneering process in the state.

“Anambra is getting ready for election, are you ready to cast your vote. Let’s mobilize fellow women. We must beat apathy this time.

“As we clamour for marginalization against women to stop, we are advocating and end to discrimination against persons with disability.

“Market leadership must be inclusive. Get women and PWDs involved. They are our brothers and sisters,” she added.

Programme Coordinator of WRAPA, Christiana Eguma, noted that women are doing well in several other spheres of life but their cold attitude towards political leadership is a huge setback.

“The National Gender Policy 2006 gives women a percentage representation in government. Unfortunately, it has not been strictly complied with.

“Most women are unaware of governance issues despite that they are the ones casting votes in larger numbers.

She explained that series of electoral reforms have taken place to make the process easier for all including PWDs.

“Many years ago, you go back home after accreditation and come back later to vote. Now, you vote immediately after being accredited.

“It’s a reform. Also now, the aged and PWDs are given preferential treatments. INEC produces some assistive materials for PWDs.”

She regretted that while women perform very well in several other spheres of life, they abandon the political offices for men.

“Apathy is high because majority think that votes still don’t count. This project is part of efforts to better the society for everyone. Men should not see it as an attack on their influence and headship.

Ehiahuruike encouraged women to develop interest in politics and join political parties which are platforms for political leadership.

“To get to positions of authority, you must develop interest in politics. Start by voting and later vie for votes. Also, demand services and accountability from your elected representatives. We seek continuous engagements,” Eguma said.

In their separate responses, the women traders agreed the need for women to occupy leadership positions but Chukwura Uchenna and Caroline Ikejiofor lamented the suffocating levies and fees, which had driven them out of market.

They argue that such burden which constitutes financial strain also discourages women from developing interest in politics.

“The taxes are too much for us. From 12,000 to 39,200. It undermines the interest of women,” Gladys Ogodinma submitted.

Caroline Ikejiofor said, “We want to follow. Let the government have mercy on us. We are dying under heavy charges. Then we can do what is expected of us. We are battling with high BP already,” she lamented.

Uche Okafor equally condemned regular and indiscriminate increase in shop rent. “From 5000 to 12000. They increase mindlessly. The load is too heavy for us to carry and they’ve given the deadline of July 10. It’s sudden and unfriendly,” she said.