AFRIHEALTH OPTONET ASSOCIATION (AHOA)
Report of the international Seminar on ‘Assuring Equal Human and Constitutional Rights to All Men and Women Matters for Development: making it happen – a review of interventions’ organized by Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), 9 March 2022
Adirieje, Uzodinma[1]; Sarai, Aina’u Musa[2]
A Seminar was organized for AHOA members
and Partners to commemorate IWD with the theme "ASSURING EQUAL HUMAN AND
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS TO ALL MEN AND WOMEN MATTERS FOR DEVELOPMENT: making it
happen – a review of interventions’, in commemoration of the 2022 International
Women’s Day.
The session was presided over by respected
Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje CEO Afrihealth, who commended the efforts of AHOA global
partners and members for their high spirits and efforts in recognizing women
and assuring equal opportunities. He further went on to give a vivid picture of
what happened recently in the Nigeria’s national assembly, where they rejected
a number of bills meant to enhance and provide equal rights of women as
accessible to their male compatriots. This further reinforced the
discrimination and political bias against women as enshrined in the
constitution by:
-Denying citizenship to a foreign-born
husband of a Nigerian woman. (While it allows Nigerian men’s foreign-born wives
to be awarded automatic citizenship);
-Denying Nigerian women indigeneity through
marriage;
-Denying 35 per cent appointed positions
for women and settling for 20 per cent;
-Denying women affirmative action in party
administration and leadership; and
-Denying specific seats for women in the
National Assembly.
Those who work in development work find
these aghast with no progressive reasons for this rejection. He noted that this
issue is not peculiar to Nigeria only, and he's concerned about women subjected
to segregation. All men and women deserves equal rights, human and
constitutional.
Dr Joseph Gimba said that what happened
showcase the negative mindset of people in higher positions who referred to
themselves as progressive and it's a wakeup call for all activists in the civil
space. Nigeria as the giant of Africa should be a pace setter he pointed. The
Interview granted by a member of the committee to VOA hausa is worrisome
Dr Anima Sharma opined that reserving seats
in the political space without actual power is a sham so long they don't have
the freewill to partake in decision making. She emphasized on advocacy to
bridge the gap because giving a right is different from exercising that right.
Esther Lydia Digo speaks about the 3rd
gender role in kenya. Women are appointed not elected and as such wielded no
power in decision making. Men need to understand that equality is not a
competition.
Dr Ngozi Osadebe believes fear and lack of awareness
to ideas of power inherent in a woman is the barrier. In Nigerian context, men
tends to dominate but they should understand that it is about having different
opinions and joining hands to move the country forward. She proposed the use of
the synonym Inclusiveness as average Nigerian man became jittery with the word
equal.
Ali, Confidence Emmanuel agreed with the
word Inclusiveness because equality causes more rancor
Frances Bekey commended the men speakers
for their resilience but was amazed by the problems with the EQ letters. She
suggested changing the word equality with equity.
The CEO requested for synonyms to replace
equality but would be used to achieve the same purpose.
Frances Bekey prefers equity and
Inclusiveness
The CEO believes equity will be the best as
it signifies empowering people to be productive and not just included.
Dr. Anima Sharma suggested community
awareness
Dr. Domeniter Naomi Kathula suggested
equality, equity and Inclusiveness especially in areas of education because
human beings need to contribute economically and socially.
Dr. Uzodinma explained that equity is at a
higher remark beyond equality and should be propagated.
Digo Lydia believes an inclusive society is
a just society. She also suggested Sensitization at the community level with
competent advocates/activists.
Victory Ofem mentioned that Religious
leaders need awareness as Nigerians are religious and have misinterpreted the
word equality.
Prof. Beckie believes sentiment is attached
to the word equality. She suggested conducting a research to identify the
social and anthropological barriers to equality and address them.
The CEO raised a question regarding 35%
seats reserved for women. He asked if the men in that constituency would should
be disenfranchised?
The Participants disagreed on the basis
that it may cause further seclusion.
Ngozi Osadebe explained that politics in
Nigeria is pledged on party basis. So parties should give opportunities to
women to equality participate.
Dr. Naomi cited Kenya politics whereby a
particular gender vying for political position will be deputized by the other
gender and that some seats are reserved for women only to compete amongst
themselves.
The CEO also raised another question, why
are women not winning the votes despite having the numbers?
Dr. Naomi said women need Enlightenment for
attitudinal and behavioral changes.
Prof Beckie women needs reorientation and a
level playing ground
Prof. Maryam Aminu explained the needs for
persistence and for breaking the jinx. She said women suffered inferiority
complex.
Participants were of the opinion that
starting gradually until aim is achieved.
Summary
1. To
explore synonyms in place of equality but with same objectives.
Namely:
·
Opportunity should be given to
women to be included in every center of every action
·
35% modality which is scary
need to be addressed
·
Persistence, hardworking and
focused are the watchwords for womenfolk.
Signed
Nr. Ainaú Musa
Sarai
Secretary, Joint
TAGs Forum AHOA CSOs Network.
Registered
Participants
1.
Dr Uzodinma Adirieje CEO
Afrihealth Optonet Association
2.
Nr. Ainaú Musa Sarai, Secretary
Joint TAGs Forum
3.
Prof Beckie Tagbo
4.
Prof Maryam Aminu
5.
Dr Ngozi Osadebe
6.
Dr Domeniter Naomi Kathula;
Kenya
7.
Frances Bekey
8.
Joseph Gimba Ph.D.; from
Jalingo Taraba State working for Center for Peace Education
9.
Dr Anima Sharma; India
10.
Victory Ofem
11.
Digo Lydia Esther; Elite Deaf
Community, Kenya
12.
Ms. Nnenna Didigu Developing
Communities for Sustainability Org. Abuja, Nigeria.
13.
Ovenaone Jennifer Uniga; Women
and Young People's Awareness Initiative. I'm in Taraba State, Nigeria.
14.
Ayotunde Agunbiade; a retired
Principal of a Public Secondary School in Lagos State, Nigeria
15.
Etta Achu, Abuja Nigeria
16.
Theophilus Kofi Tsikata;
Methodist Hospital-Wenchi, Ghana
17.
Thina Maphosa; Zimbabwe
18.
N K Keny; Nagaland North-east, India
19.
Kelly Mulungi; Rainbow Africa
Initiative, Uganda
20.
Dr Stella Akinso; Zenith Health,
Nigeria
21.
Adesola Odole; Associate
Professor of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
22.
Dr. Sabo Dagona; Yobe State,
Nigeria
23.
Christine Adong, from Uganda, a member of board of governors St.
John Paul II College-Laliya & Student of Master of Public Health.
24.
Omonola Blessing; from Kogi
State, Nigeria
25.
Amb. Idris Musa; Niger State
Focal person
26.
Okoli Ogochukwu, ED
Organization for Social Programmes and Health Care (OSPHC) Ibadan Nigeria
27.
Victory Ofem; Ubi JEKSUME
FOUNDATION
28.
Ali, Confidence Emmanuel
Information Management Officer, Foundation
for Peace, Hope and Conflict Management (FPHCM), Nigeria
29.
Yves RUGONDERA; Présent au nom de
l'Association de Lutte Contre les Violences Sexuelles et Appui à la Promotion
du Développement Durable "ALUCOVIS-APDD, Pays BURUNDI
30.
Anicet Lossa Londjiringa; DR-Congo
31.
Ulrich sylver M'BANI MADZOU du
congo Brazzaville
32.
Nohora Quiguantar; Colombia
33.
Eddah Kanini
34.
Yinka Odedele; Ondo State,
Nigeria
35.
Yoila Raymond
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