Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has committed to the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in Nigeria, stressing that, the country cannot afford to ignore half of its population.
During his consultation with All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa state, the Vice President was asked if he will commit to the 35 per cent affirmative action.
The delegate asked, “Regarding the 35 per cent affirmative action of women, you are in office now as our national legislatures threw away our request. By the grace of God, when you become the President of Nigeria, will you confirm for us that we will get our 35 per cent affirmative action?
Responding to the question, Prof. Osinbajo said, “First, let me say that the matter is back to the National Assembly. The National Assembly threw it out, but it’s back.
“So at least they still know that we are going to have an opportunity for the 35 per cent affirmative action to be revisited. But I want to tell you straight away that in my own office, I have 41 per cent of my staff are women, 41 per cent,” he said.
“And I think that any country that wants to take itself seriously cannot afford to ignore half of its population. Half of our population are women and many of these women, I’m sure that the men who are here would admit, even in schools, much smarter than us men.
“So there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be able to say that women should be given a fair chance.
“I think that, as far as I am concerned, there’s absolutely no reason why the 35 per cent affirmative action should not pass and I think that certainly, God helping me, if I’m President of this country, there’s no question in my mind that women would play a very active role.”
Chronicle NG reports that the national Gender Policy (NGP) formulated a 35% Affirmative Action in Nigeria since 2006.
This policy demands that 35% of women be involved in all governance processes.
