October 19 2007

Constitution of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) The Women In Peacebuilding program (WIPNET) of West Africa Network for Peacebuilding Nigeria organised a two day strategic planning and envisioning meeting (October 18 ? 19 2007) with selected women leaders from Delta state at Nelrose Hotel Asaba Delta state.

At the end of this meeting, the women among other issues, noted with great concern that despite the efforts of the government of Delta state to achieve the 30% appointment of women in political positions and other critical policy making bodies otherwise known as Affirmative Action, the recently constituted DESOPADEC neither include any female on the Board nor in the Directors and Heads of Department of the Commission.

WIPNET feels that this action is not in not in tandem with Governor Udoghan?s vision and promise of a Delta state where all stakeholders especially women and youths are involved in decision making and governance of the state. We are aware of the contribution of women in the democratic process of this state and therefore feel that if in the constitution of DESOPADEC, his Excellency did not find any woman worthy of appointment, it goes further to reinforce the fact that women and their experiences have always been excluded in issues of peace, development and human security and that lip services is paid to the realisation of the affirmative action.

Nigeria as the giant of Africa and the most populous black nation is a signatory to international instruments that affirms this position. The United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), provides that States Parties should pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination against women and, to this end, undertake to increase participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes and also embody the principle of the equality of men and women in their national and state policies. The two instruments call for practical realization of the principles and to refrain from engaging in any act or practice of discrimination against women and to ensure that public authorities and institutions shall act in conformity with this obligation.

Similarly, Article 6 of the AU Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality urges State Parties to ensure the active promotion and protection of all human rights for women and girls including the right to development. Article 9 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Women?s Rights in Africa provides that State Parties shall take specific positive action to promote participative governance and the equal participation of women in the political life of their countries through affirmative action, enabling legislation etc. to ensure increased and effective representation and participation of women at all levels of decision-making.

Being signatory to the above instruments, there is an obligation on all levels of government to recognise, respect and implement these provisions. We believe that the Government of His Excellency Emmanuel Ewata Uduaghan can take a lead in this direction by appointing at least 4 women in the board of this commission as well as in the Heads of the Department.

WIPNET has fate in the government of Delta state as a listening one and therefore wish his Excellency a successful tenure in the office Long live Nigerian women! Long live Delta state! Long live Nigeria

Bridget Osakwe (Mrs.) Program Manager (WIPNET)