Enugu women, youths, task Guber aspirants on security, infrastructure, others

Young women and youths in Enugu State have presented inclusive representation, functional security infrastructure and jobs availability as their priority expectations from the next governor of the state.

The demands were documented in ‘Good Governance banners’ and delivered to the top candidates in the state’s governorship race as part of the Signpost Project.

Speaking on the Signpost Project, TechHer Project Lead, Achenyo Ochijenu, at a forum in Abuja emphasized the critical role women and youth play in shaping the future of communities and the nation.

She described the project as specifically listening to women to understand their voting patterns, the challenges they have with exercising their franchise as citizens, as well as their expectations from the next governor of the state.

The Signpost Project, which was launched with support from MacArthur Foundation through the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Ochijenu noted, began in Enugu in 2022 by engaging young women and youth at different fora, documenting their challenges and creating the good governance banner.

“We went to the markets, we went to universities, we listened to civil society, we listened to youth speak about the Enugu of their dreams. We did all these to build and invest in the elections, for our young women and youth to get involved in elections but beyond that, continue to demand accountability and excellence from their leaders.

“Young women and youth listed water, steady salary payments, security, quality education, access to opportunities and jobs, and protection of women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence as priority areas for the incoming government.

“They lamented the ASUU strike, disruptions caused by insecurity and the sit-at home order, inflation and the absence of pipe-borne water in the state.

“Several respondents said they recognized the importance of participating in civic processes via engagement with the Signpost Project and pledged the continued exercise of their franchise. Ochijenu said.”

TechHerNG is a community of learning, support and collaboration for women, who are keen in reducing imbalances in access to technology and amplifying the voices of women in society.