CEPO urges parties to implement 35% quota for gender parity

The principals of the revitalised peace agreement have been urged to genuinely enforce the 35 per cent affirmative action to bring about gender parity.

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) wants the parties to implement the reconstitution of the Political Parties Council, National Election Commission, and National Constitution Review Commission.

CEPO said all political parties must uphold the 35 per cent for women at each of their various seats.

“If any parties fail to uphold the 35 per cent for women during the reconstitution, a lawsuit will be filed against that party,’’ said CEPO in a press release on Sunday.

“CEPO program on Status of Women Initiative (SOWI) is aware that reconstitution of the political institutions namely Political Parties Council, National Constitution Review Commission and National Elections Commission are looming as provided by the provisions of the R-ARCSS”

The civil society group stressed that the implementation of 35 per cent for women in various seats was key to securing meaningful women’s participation and representation in the democratic transformation of the society.

It called on influential women political leaders from different parties to push for their appointment to the positions.

In a statement issued by the organization, it considered CEPO Program on Status of Women Initiative (SOWI) an essential step towards the real and effective enforcement of the 35 per cent for women’s representation.

However, it tasked women leaders to actively engage their respective political parties to ensure that their  35 per cent representation is fully implemented.

“This is one of the cornerstone steps for securing political space for meaningful women’s political and technical participation and representation in public life.”

There have been violations of the 35 per cent affirmative action in the appointment of ministerial positions, the state governors and the armed command structure.