By Lucy Osuizigbo
In recent years, Anambra State is gradually emerging as a beacon of hope for gender equity in Nigeria, with government initiatives and community-driven efforts working hand in hand to promote and protect women’s rights.
From the corridors of power to the grassroots, the state is witnessing a transformative shift toward inclusivity, fairness, and empowerment for its women and girls.
One of the hallmarks of the state’s progress is the push to eliminate harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation(FGM), oppressive widowhood rites , women’s disinheritance, forced marriage and lack of women representation; that have long hindered women’s rights.
The Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, with the support of the government, has been instrumental in this regard.
The Secretary of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Pius Omachonu of Olumbanasa in Anambra West LGA, said the council had abolished oppressive widowhood rites and promoted women’s inheritance rights.
“These harmful traditional practices are gender-based violence.Through consultations and dialogues, we abolished them because there is the need to protect and uplift women in the society, “he said.
Mrs Ify Obinabo, Commissioner for Women Affair and Social Welfare, says the state government is fully implementing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law 2017, the Child Rights Law 2004 and the Administration Criminal Justice Law 2022, to protects citizens, especially women and children from all forms of violence.
“Gov. Chukwuma Soludo led administration established the Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Offences Courts and we have secured convictions to punish offenders to serve a deterrent, as well as get justice for survivors,” she said.
The inclusion of women in traditional councils is another groundbreaking achievement. For instance, in Umueri, Anambra East LGA and Awkwuzu in Oyi LGA, women were appointed as members of the Igwe’s council, signaling a commitment to inclusivity at the community level.
Igwe Charles Anikweze of Awkwuzu said he introduced women taking traditional titles like their male counterparts as well as appointment of women into Igwe’s council.
“With such appointment, they handle community issues involving women.
“Such changes inspire confidence and create opportunities for women to live up to their full potential and actively participate in decision-making,” he said.
Meanwhile, under Gov Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, Anambra has taken bold steps to include women in his cabinet and decision-making processes. achieving about 28 per cent of the 35 per cent inclusion benchmark recommended by global advocacy organisations.
Soludo has also been vocal about his commitment to creating a state where women feel safe, valued, and empowered to participate in governance and societal development.
Reacting to the development, a women rights activist, Mrs Oby Okafor, expressed dissatisfaction over the low representation of women in Gov. Soludo’s cabinet.
Okafor, also a former 2017 Anambra Governorship aspirant on the platform of defunct Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), said Soludo’s cabinet fell short of the 35 per cent women representation to meet the affirmative gender balance.
She said: “We have only five women out of the 21 Commissioners. Even the special advisers or assistants he appointed, only few women made it.
“Does it mean that we do not have capable women to work with Soludo? She asked.
Okafor urged the governor to acknowledge the sacrifices made by women during elections and give them a sense of belonging by appointing more women into his cabinet.
According to her, such consideration would ensure gender balance and women will have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Anambra.
Nigeria as a nation adopted the affirmative action of 35 per cent representation of women in political and elective positions in the country.
Unfortunately, this has yet to change the participation of women in politics in Anambra. The State Assembly has Ms Nkechi Ogbuefi as the only female among the 30 members, while there are only three women among the eight lawmakers at the National Assembly.
This shows that the participation of women in politics and governance is not encouraging, even with political parties giving out nomination forms to women for free.
Mrs Eucharia Anekwe, Convener, Gender Perspective on Social Development Centre, an NGO,
lamented the low number of women in political and leadership spaces in Anambra.
“We cannot achieve gender equality in our political space if we do not encourage and groom our girls and women to participate and get involved fully.
“I encourage girls and women to actively pursue careers in politics to enhance their participation in the country’s political space,”she said.
Anambra state’s journey toward gender equity is ongoing, but the progress achieved so far offers hope and inspiration. The state is steadily building a foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future.
As we mark International Women’s Day on March 8, themed ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment,’ we are reminded of the urgent need to take actionable steps toward unlocking equal rights and opportunities for everyone.
It is hope that more women will actively engage in the forthcoming governorship election on Nov. 8. to advance women’s representation and inclusive future in Anambra state.
