Women lawyers are unhappy with President Muhammadu Buhari over what they described as marginalization of women in decision-making by his administration.

Speaking under the umbrella of the International Federal of Women Lawyers (FIDA), they called the attention of the President to some international statues to which Nigeria is signatory, and urged him to accord greater respect and responsibility to women.
In a statement in Abuja yesterday, National President of FIDA Nigeria, Hauwa Shekarau, called for more commitment towards gender equality in the governance and decision-making process in the country.

The group said: “International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has watched with apt interest, the take-off and initial steps of this current administration particularly with respect to appointments into decision-making positions in the country, and wish to express her fears and worries over the glaring marginalisation of women in the process. FIDA Nigeria sadly notes that out of the appointments and nominations so far made by President Buhari, only about two percent consideration has been given to the female gender.

FIDA Nigeria quickly draws the attention of this administration to the provisions of some international instruments that Nigeria is signatory to, for better counsel and direction. Although these instruments may not have been domesticated in Nigeria, they nevertheless stand as binding covenants that the country has acceded to and which it must respect to uphold her integrity and dignity before the comity of nations.

Under Article 3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Nigeria in 1993, Nigeria undertook to ensure the equal rights of both men and women to the enjoyment of all civil and political rights set forth in the Convention; and under Article 25 of the same Convention, Nigeria undertook to ensure that the right and opportunity of every citizen to ‘have access, on general terms of equality, to public service in the country’.

Similar provision has been re-echoed in Article 13 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, and Article 25 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights. This seems not to be happening in this administration and FIDA Nigeria considers it very worrisome.
“FIDA Nigeria reminds this administration of the progress its predecessor had made in this direction by not only having an all-inclusive government in terms of equal gender participation, but also giving the female gender key positions in the administration.

We therefore urge President Buhari to ensure that the ‘Change’ we all clamoured for is rather progressive and not regressive. FIDA Nigeria notes that the role and achievements of women in the last administration can never be over-emphasised albeit the challenges currently facing a few of them.