Women Express Fear Of Marginalisation Under Buhari

Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) and the coalition of other women groups fear that the administration of president-elect Muhammadu Buhari will marginalize women.

The groups based their fears on the gender composition of Buhari’s transition committee which they claimed was biased despite Buhari’s promises during his electioneering campaign that credible women would be given opportunities in his administration.

According to the president of the group, Barr. Ebere Ifendu, the inclusion of women and men’s perspectives and experiences in the decision making process would inevitably lead to solutions that are more viable.

She said that the press conference where their fear was communicated was “provoked by the recent appointments by the in-coming administration where it failed in its commitment to Nigerian women in terms of equitable representation on its inauguration and transition committees.

“The women are viewing this action as indicative of new government’s posture on selection and appointment”.

She reminded the incoming administration of the large turnout by women to the polls that saw the All Progressive Congress(APC) victorious in the 2015 general elections, as confirmed by independent reports. She argued that they should therefore be appropriately be involved in decision making progress.

Ifendu called on the incoming administration to implement its commitments to the Nigerian women forthwith, stressing that the 35 percent affirmative action must stand at least.