BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

Nigerian women under the aegis of National Coalition on Affirmative Action, NCAA, have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure gender balance in his on-going cabinet reshuffle.

While applauding the target of 35 per cent the President had set for himself in line with the National Gender Policy 2006, the women urged him to implement it in his new cabinet.

Oby Nwankwo, Chair, NCAA, who appealed to Mr. President to continue in his determined path of ensuring women had the opportunity of contributing to Nigeria’s development, said what was notable about the ministers’ sack was that five out of the nine ministers were women.

In a statement endorsed by the Gender and Constitutional Reform Network, GERCON, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, WRAPA and Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, amongst others, the women applauded President Jonathan for almost meeting the 35 per cent target of women’s
representation in cabinet positions, as well as other strategic appointments.

President Jonathan was therefore urged to remain resolute in his conviction for gender inclusion in governance by filling the five vacant cabinet positions with reputable women.