Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has, on Wednesday, ordered the Federal Government to comply with the 35 percent affirmative action for women.
According to IGI Global, affirmative action for women is a term used to refer to various government policies or programs aimed particularly at increasing the proportion of women in various sectors historically considered to be male-dominated. These sectors include employment and education among others.
In the judgment delivered, the judge said that the government was obliged to apply the 35 percent affirmative action, accusing the past governments of acting contrary to the international treaties on women participation in government.
Justice Okorowo also said that the National Gender Policy was not merely a policy statement, but one that must equally be supported with requisite action on the part of the government.
He noted that the 35% affirmative action which entailed appointive positions for women to ensure inclusivity, must not be merely on paper as Nigeria is a signatory to international treaties, particularly on those entrenching the rights of women.
According to a human rights organisation, Alliance for Africa, the policy is recognised but not practiced as the structures and processes to use are not in place.
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