Deputy Senate president and chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, yesterday advocated the abolition of all cultural and traditional practices that limit the potentials of women in the country.
Ekweremadu spoke through the Senate leader, Victor Ndoma Egba, during the presentation of memorandum on constitution amendment by the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), to the committee at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.
He said, “The real wealth of a nation resides in its women and the youth. So until we have exposed our women and the youth to their full potentials, we will not realise the full wealth of our nation. Those aspects of our culture and tradition that prevent our women and the girl-child from realising their potentials must be discarded.”
On her part, the national president of NCWS, Chief Mrs. Nkechi Okenimi Mba, proposed the incorporation of 35 per cent affirmative action plan for women into the constitution so as to ensure enhanced women participation in governance in the country.
She decried the fact that though women constitute 31 per cent of the federal cabinet, their involvement at state and local government levels is not encouraging.
She, however, commended the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan for her efforts at ensuring gender equality and encouraging the 35 per cent affirmative plan.