UNDP calls for support on gender equality in constitution amendment

Dr Mourtada Deme, the Project Director of the UNDP has stressed the need to drum up support for gender equality issues in the constitutional review process.
Deme stated this in Asaba on Thursday during a roundtable organised by Gender and Development Action (GADA).
He said that the support had become necessary in order to ensure favourable consideration during the debates by states assemblies.
Deme urged media practitioners to support the cause by adding their voices and making commitments as stakeholders for the success of the project.
Deme, who was represented by Anne Ikpeme, Senior Gender Expert, disclosed that the Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) project was a joint donor funded initiative managed by UNDP.
He said that the primary objective of the project was to support democracy of Nigeria.
According to him, the media roundtable fell under the components which seek to support ongoing legal reform to promote affirmative action and women empowerment as candidates, voters and election officials.
“The constitution review process is ongoing, the presentation of the report of the senate committee on constitution review and public presentation of the report of the house of representative public session on constitution review have taken place.
“A review of the reports shows that most of the things advocated for by women have not been taken on board by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“Specifically on the issue of affirmative action and a cursory look at the current proposal for review of the constitution reveals that there is not affirmative action content in the proposals being discussed,’’ he said.
Earlier in her address , the Executive Director of GADA, Ms Ada Agina-Ude noted that there were still opportunities for the ordinary Nigerians, especially women to ensure that the amendment took care of their interests.