Members of the concerned group gathered at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday, carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as “Men Are Not Compassionate Enough To Run the Humanitarian Ministry,”
“We Say No To Women Discrimination,” and “Humanitarian Ministry is Not For Political Compensation,” among others.
Led by its convener, Jennifer Raymond, the group argued that the male appointments do not adhere to the principle of federal character and called on President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the appointments for the sake of inclusivity and fairness.
The women referred to the recent appointments of Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction and Chief Ayuba Gufwan as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for People Living with Disabilities, both of whom are from Plateau State.
According to the group, nominating two male candidates from the same state violates the constitutional principle of federal character, which aims to ensure equitable representation across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
The women emphasised that the nomination process must reflect Nigeria’s rich demographic diversity, stressing the importance of gender balance and geographic representation, particularly in ministries that address critical humanitarian issues and poverty alleviation.
“The selection of male candidates from the same state undermines the constitutional principle of federal character, which is intended to ensure equitable representation across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
“A particularly pressing concern within this context is gender representation. The current nominees for leadership positions in the ministry are male, raising significant questions about inclusivity and the ability to address the unique needs of all communities.
“Humanitarian affairs inherently involve diverse groups, including women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by crises. Their perspectives, experiences, and needs must be included in decision-making processes to ensure effective and equitable humanitarian responses.
“Research has consistently shown that organisations with gender-diverse leadership tend to perform better in crisis situations. Women often bring different viewpoints and approaches to problem-solving, leading to more innovative and effective solutions.
“The call for diverse representation, particularly regarding gender, in the Humanitarian Ministry’s leadership is not merely a progressive ideal; it is a pragmatic strategy for enhancing the Ministry’s effectiveness in tackling Nigeria’s pressing humanitarian challenges.
“By reflecting the country’s diversity, including gender diversity, the leadership can ensure that humanitarian responses are contextually relevant, culturally appropriate, and ultimately more impactful.
“As Nigeria continues to navigate complex humanitarian issues, embracing diversity within leadership will be crucial for fostering resilience and improving the well-being of all its citizens.
“Therefore, we urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently reflect federal character in his appointments by selecting a competent woman with proven track record of humanitarian initiatives to occupy a key position in the Humanitarian Ministry,” Jennifer Raymond stated.
