Ahead of the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly (NASS), Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), has called on political parties with elected members in the parliament, especially in the House of Representatives to uphold provisions of the national gender policy by electing a female as Speaker and also appointing them as principal and presiding officers.

The group lamented that the current political arrangement in the country was in favour of men.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, WIPF President, Barr. Ebere Ifendu, said it would be disregard to Nigerian women if despite the high-ranking female parliamentarians, no female member ranks among the principal officers of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly.

She said: “As preparations are being made to inaugurate the 10th National Assembly, we call on political parties with elected members in the parliament, to uphold the provisions of the national gender policy and be intentionally gender inclusive, mainstreaming and considering gender as a necessary factor when zoning Principal offices in the National Assembly.

“We are particularly interested in the House of Representatives election for principal office where we have female members as some of the high-ranking officers in the House with some returning for the 4th time. It would, therefore, be completely disregarding to Nigerian women if, with the caliber and ranking of female parliamentarians in the House of Representatives, no female member ranks among the principal officers of the House of Representatives in the 10th National Assembly.

“Today, one year after the judgment on the implementation of the National gender policy, which was granted in favour of Nigerian women by Hon. Justice Donatus Okorowo of the Federal High Court, Women In Politics Forum, together with her partners, call for this judgment to be honoured and evidenced in the constitution of principal officers of the 10th National Assembly and Ministerial and other appointive positions.

Ifendu, therefore, called on political parties with higher representation in the parliament to ensure that they mainstream gender as a major requirement in getting principal officers elected.

She also urged parties to be primarily gender inclusive and ensure that whatever zoning ratio is adopted in the party concerning the principal offices, should favour the female members-elect of the 10th National Assembly.

“That political parties give full support to female members elect from their parties that would be contesting for principal office in the Legislative arm of government.

“That male members elect in the 10th Assembly give full support to their female colleagues seeking to run for principal office. That Female members are given Chairmanship of key committees,” she added.