Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Anambra State Chapter, has joined other women’s groups to call on the National Assembly to review its stand on the Gender Bills it rejected on the floor of the chamber.
Anambra NAWOJ made its feeling known when members of the association carried out a peaceful protest to Anambra State House of Assembly as part of her activities to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day, IWD, observed on the 8th of March, every year.
The day is mapped out to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women worldwide.
Speaking on the occasion, Anambra NAWOJ Chairperson, Comrade Franklyn Onyekachi, appealed to the State Assembly to use their good offices to make members of NASS see reason and reconsider their stand on the Gender Bills.
According to her, women need to be given a voice as they are architects of change, and have contributed immensely to the growth of the nation.
She further asserted that any nation that does not carry all her citizens along, especially women, cannot be said to be truly democratic, and also called for strict implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibited, VAPP, the law in the state.
Responding, the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Nonso Smart-Okafor, who received the women at the State Assembly, promised to take their request to the floor of the House for deliberation.
Hon. Okafor said the VAPP law was enacted to solve some of the gender issues.
In his remarks, the member representing Njikoka one in the House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Ifedioramma, said women have a place in governance because they play pivotal roles in families, communities and the nation at large.
He pointed out that culture and religion caused a sharp division in gender issues, and called for more advocacy on the part of women to change people’s mindset towards them.
In their separate remarks, the General Manager, Kpakpando FM, Comrade Monic Okechukwu and Comrade Ebele Eze of the ABS, expressed displeasure over the rejection of the bills by the National Assembly, as well as some harmful traditional practices against women and called for a review of the bills.
Members of Anambra NAWOJ, also visited the Tenderlove Orphanage, Amaenyi Awka, as part of activities to mark International Women’s Day.
The chairperson of the association, Comrade Onyekachi while presenting some items to the orphanage, said the aim of the visit was to identify with the children.
One of the officials of the orphanage, Miss Olivia Odunukwe, thanked the association, praying God to bless them the more.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is, “Break the Bias”.
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