The call for the swift passage of the Affirmative Action Bill (AAB) into law has gained momentum, with various individuals and organizations championing the cause.
Sheila Minka-Premo, the Convener for the AAB Coalition, emphasized the importance of addressing social, economic, and educational imbalances through the implementation of the bill.
During a workshop organized by the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) in collaboration with CODEO and the Affirmative Action Bill Coalition, Madam Minka-Premo highlighted the significance of ensuring equal opportunities for both men and women. She emphasized that the economic development of any country is hindered if a significant portion of the population, such as women, faces discrimination and exclusion from decision-making processes.
Noting the underrepresentation of women in Parliament, with only 40 out of 275 seats occupied by women, Madam Minka-Premo called for the elimination of barriers that hinder women’s participation in leadership roles. She attributed this imbalance to the patriarchal system in the country, which tends to prioritize the interests of men over those of women in various spheres of life.
The bill addresses critical areas such as the marginalization of women in public and economic life, stemming from gendered divisions of labor and the lack of legislation to promote gender equality. Madam Minka-Premo also pointed out the ineffectiveness of existing policies and initiatives meant to empower women, stressing the need for the bill to ensure their adequacy.
Research has shown that promoting gender equality translates to economic benefits, as it allows for better opportunities for growth and resilience in times of crises.
Workshop participants unanimously agreed on the necessity of passing the Affirmative Action Bill to create a more inclusive society that values the contributions of both men and women.
