By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
As the global community marks the International Women’s Day, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, has described women as veritable instruments for human transformation in view of the crucial responsibility they shoulder in family upkeep and nation building.
In his Goodwill Message to women as they celebrated their day, signed by Mr Emma Madu, his Chief Press Secretary, Hon. Udeze called on the newly established South-East Development Commission to sponsor a Bill for a Law through the Houses of Assembly in the Southeast Zone for the protection of property rights of women and girls and to confer on the girl child and even the adopted children, rights to property inheritance, adding that the Law would also abrogate all harmful and obnoxious practices against women, especially widows.
The Speaker, while citing section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which guaranteed the rights of citizens, men and women to participate in governance, urged the Federal Government to create more political opportunities for Nigerian Women, both in appointments and elections, to enable them to showcase their talents and abilities and to contribute meaningfully to the good governance of the country as useful partners in development.
He commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo and the wife, Mrs. Nonye, for their efforts towards the uplift of the living standard of Anambra women through various empowerments and provision of quality life such as free antenatal and child delivery, as well as advocacy and protection of women’s rights.
Rt. Hon. Udeze revealed that the Law against Widowhood Malpractices and other Related Matters are still in force in the state and called on well-meaning citizens to assist indigent women in their midst.
