The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and International Founder of Electoral System, IFES, yesterday, organised a-one-day sensitization programme on voter education for women ahead of the November sixth governorship election in Anambra State.
The event which took place at Nibo,Awka South Council Area attracted representatives from National Orientation Agency, NOA, National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, women groups among others.
The sensitization programme aimed at educating women on their civic rights and responsibilities during the fourth coming election and to empower them to have a voice in good governance.
Addressing the women, the Director of Gender Relations & Inclusivity, INEC, Mrs Blessing Obidiegwu represented by the Deputy Director of Gender Relations & Inclusivity, Mrs Chika Osuji, charged women in Anambra to see themselves as agents of change in the electoral process by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs and ensure that they participate massively in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State .
Mrs Obidiegwu decried the low involvement of women in the electoral process, stating that the development was discouraging giving that women represent a critical mass of voters and electoral stakeholders.
In a goodwill message, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Anambra State, Dr Nwachukwu Orji, represented by the Head of Voter Education, Mr Samuel Nimem said that the Commission is open to all engagement with the stakeholders to effectively discharge its duties, adding that women are key players in democracy.
In her reaction, the Secretary of Women Forum for Development, Mrs Uju Egolum said that the forum has adopted sensitization strategies to reach out to women to ensure they are actively involved in the electoral process.
On her part, a Project Associate of the International Foundation for Electoral System, IFES, Mrs Amina Tahaya, encouraged women to report any negative actions either against security agents or INEC officials, and also implored them to come out en masss and vote.
The Anambra State Director of the National Youth Service Commission, NYSC, represented by the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, Mrs Anuli Molokwu noted that the sensitization program was crucial because it focused on the concept of basic human rights, including the right to vote, with the necessary information to make an informed choice at the voting booth.
Correspondent, Amaka Chibuzor Okoye reports that questions and answers sessions from the participants to understand the conversation featured at the event.
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