By Dotun Ibiwoye

In advocating a female deputy governorship candidate in Edo State and more participation of women in politics, the International Republican Institute has partnered with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, women in the state in a sensitization forum.

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The objective of the forum was to identify the barriers affecting women’s political participation and to identify various strategies to address the challenges.

Speaking at the forum, PDP Edo State Women Leader, Deaconess Lindsay Sorae said the short term strategy was to support the women’s movement within the party to advocate a female deputy governorship candidate once the aspirant emerges as a candidate.

“Second, is to demand for a woman to be appointed as SSG, Chief of Staff or deputy.

“Third, that at least 35 per cent of appointments into the positions of commissioner, Special Assistants and Special Advisers are women,” she said

On the long term, she said women should be elected into the various elective positions in 2019 and at least 35 percent are elected into party positions in the next congress as contained in the party’s constitution.