KWARA SIGNS LAW RESERVING 35% OF APPOINTMENTS FOR WOMEN

 

Kwara gov signs law reserving 35% of appointments for women

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman-AbdulRazaq

Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has signed into law a bill that makes it mandatory to have at least 35  per cent women appointees in the State Executive Council and other classes of political appointments.

The law is cited as Kwara State Political Offices (Gender Composition) Bill 2021.

Justifying the law, the state governor on Tuesday said it was only fair that women be given a fair space in the decision-making process.

He spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, during a conference tagged ‘Cracking the glass ceiling: The story of Kwara women.’

He said his administration decided to promulgate the law so that future administrations in the state will not reverse the gains so far made in mainstreaming gender parity in appointments.

He said the step to mainstream women in public service was the least the administration could do for the hard-working women as a way of inspiring the girl child.

Abdulrazaq said, “Women are so critical to human civilisation. They are just as brilliant, innovative, and smart as men. They are the largest voting demographic in Nigeria.

He said his administration decided to promulgate the law so that future administrations in the state will not reverse the gains so far made in mainstreaming gender parity in appointments.

He said the step to mainstream women in public service was the least the administration could do for the hard-working women as a way of inspiring the girl child.

Abdulrazaq said, “Women are so critical to human civilisation. They are just as brilliant, innovative, and smart as men. They are the largest voting demographic in Nigeria.

Yet, they are often absent or unfairly represented when policies and programmes that shape everything concerning them and their families are designed.

“This needs a rethink. In Kwara, we have recently taken unprecedented steps to involve more women in the decision-making process.

We appointed 56.25 female cabinet members and about 50 per cent female permanent secretaries. Many key government positions are headed by women. We do not have regrets making such decisions.