“We No Longer Want To Remain In Kitchen,”  Ondo Women Cry Out

By Ayodele Oni

Womenfolk in Ondo state is doing every possible lobby to ensure a woman emerges as deputy governorship candidate during November election in the state.

The women vowed to resist the notion confining them to the ‘other room’ which they say is contradictory and unacceptable.

Since the return of civilian rule in 1999, the deputy governor slot has not been occupied by a woman unlike its neighbouring Ekiti state, which has allocated the slot for women during three regimes.

To this end, various women groups in the state converged on Akure, calling on governorship candidates of all political parties in the state to pick female running mates.

At the meeting, which was tagged “Agitation For Gender Balance and Inclusiveness In Governance,” the women deliberated on how they could get fair share of political offices, both elective and non-elective.

In a communique issued and signed by the convener, Mrs. Adebimpe Adeniyi, the women also called for a more gender-sensitive and all-inclusive government policies and programmes

It reads in parts: “Despite the immeasurable contributions of women to the restoration of democracy and national growth and development, Nigerian women have been relegated and reduced to the back seats in both elective and appointed positions.

“Since 1999, when Nigeria transitioned from military rule to democratic governance, women have yet to occupy up to 15 percent of elective positions in a country where the voting population of women is equal to, if not more than, men.

“We must, however, acknowledge that women have been nominated and elected as deputy governors in some states in Nigeria.

“In the South West, only Ondo state, which prides itself as the intellectual base of the region, is yet to provide an opportunity for a female deputy governor.

“After extensive deliberation during the Inaugural Meeting, we have resolved and demanded nomination of women as deputy governorship candidates of all the participating political parties in the 2024 Governorship Election of Ondo state.

“An increased budgetary allocation for the State Ministry of Women Affairs.

“The justifiable agitation and legitimate demand, particularly regarding the nomination of women as deputy governorship candidates from all participating political parties, will persist until it is met and complied with by all political parties in the state.

“Using the unique Yoruba word ‘Odatiwa’ for inclusiveness while simultaneously

“A complete and total abandonment of all forms of discrimination – cultural, religious, and traditional – against the girl child in Ondo state.

“A more gender-sensitive and all-inclusive government policies and programmes across all sectors.

“Full implementation of all gender balance-related legislations, including the National Gender Policy – Affirmative Action, by allotting 35 percent of appointments in the public sector to women.

“Free and quality healthcare services for pregnant women and children under age 0-6.”