18th June, 2014
A non-governmental organisation, Women in Politics, on Tuesday urged political parties to address gender imbalance in the hierarchy.
Ebere Ifendu, the chairperson of the organisation, made the plea in Enugu while reacting to alleged maltreatment of female politicians in the country.
Ifendu told journalists that some women who indicated interest to contest for positions in the political parties were being denied their rights.
“We have received cases of injustice and inequity being meted to women who indicated interest in running for positions in the party executives, both at the state and national levels.
“We are aware that some political parties reserved some positions and percentage for women in their executives, but this is not implemented.
“Recently, a woman who followed due process to contest for the position of deputy national organising secretary in a party was removed from the list.
“Her slot was given to somebody who neither purchased the form nor indicated interest.
“This is a dangerous precedent for political parties. We will fight it to its conclusive end.
“We are tired of holding only the position of women leaders in political parties,” she said.
Ifendu said the groups had commenced training of young female politicians to enable them to participate effectively in politics.