Women traders appointed into Anambra markets caretaker Committees

By Praise Chinecherem

Women traders have been appointed as ex-officio into the leadership structures of all the 158 structured markets in Anambra State.

This is to address age-long exclusion of women in decision making circle in markets despite constituting an appreciable percentage of traders population.

The President-General, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, performed the inauguration recently at ASMATA office in Onitsha.

Chief Anuna said it was in compliance with the letter of authority signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evaristus Uba.

The letter reads, “This is to notify all chairmen of various market caretaker committees that Anambra State government through the Office of SPAD to the Governor on Trade and Markets authorized the PG ASMATA to appoint one woman ASMATA coordinator as ex-officio member of each market caretaker committee where none exists.

“While government appreciates your efforts and sacrifices towards promotion of peace and harmony in the markets, you are enjoined to comply with this directive.”

The development is also a big win for the Citizens Mobilization for Awareness Creation on Gender Equity, Social Inclusion and Accountability project.

The project was implemented by Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) in partnership with Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), with support from MacArthur Foundation.

With this compliance, the ASMATA PG explained that every market now has a woman as an ex-officio exco member.

He said, “Personally, I want women’s inclusion in market activities and decision-making spaces.

“The aim is that before any law or policy is passed, women examine it through their lens and determine whether it is favorable or not to the female gender.

Anuna urged the appointees to work to make the inclusion of PWDs in their respective markets their first task.

In her remarks, Mrs Ugochi Ehiahuruike, Executive Director, SIDEC, appreciated the inclusion of women in market executive contending that women have the natural ability to surpass their male counterparts in leadership excellence.

Ehiahuruike described the development as a big win for the campaign made possible by Women’s Rights Advance and Protection Alternative, (WRAPA).

“This is a step in a right direction towards including more women in decision-making spaces. We’re happy about this at this time. To you the women leaders, there is work ahead of you. You have an opportunity to prove what you can do. Don’t waste it.”

She also charged the women traders to develop interest in leadership because the ability to succeed in them. “To whom much is given, much is expected. I charge you to act as ambassadors of women.

“Going forward, we want more women in Governor’s cabinet, Igwe’s cabinet, in the House of Assembly etc. While we appreciate this appointment, we are asking the government to do more reserving a percentage strictly for women in leadership at all levels.

The President, National Council for Women Societies, (NCWS), Anambra State Chapter, Mrs Theresa Nnalue, represented on the occasion, welcomed the inclusion of women traders in market leadership.

“I advise you fellow women, let’s shun pull her down syndrome. It is against our quest for fair treatment. Instead, let us rally round ourselves and with that, we shall get what we are looking for.

Chairman, Joint Association of Persons with Disability, (JONAPWD) Anambra State Chapter, Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, appreciated the sincerity of the ASMATA PG in fostering inclusion in Anambra market’s decision-making spaces.

While advocating for further inclusion of traders with disabilities, Okeke stressed the need to make structures within the markets accessible to PWDs.

Responding, the ASMATA Woman Leader, Mrs Grace Okonkwo, was full of gratitude to the Governor Chukwuma Soludo, assuring that the women will leave up to expectation.

Some of the women leaders including Mrs Rose Mina, Onitsha Main Market, Mrs Nkiru Ejike, Women Leader Ogbaru and Ugochi Nevorji of the Relief Market, Ogbaru, pledged not to betray the confidence reposed in them.