From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondent Chapel, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has charged women groups to lobby the National Assembly for the passage of gender bills.

The Vice Chairman of the chapel, Grace Ike, gave the charge, on Monday, while speaking at the International Women Day ( IWD) conference organised by the Female Journalists Network in collaboration with National Association for Women Journalists ( NAWOJ), FCT chapter, with the theme ” Together ensure inclusivity, loud her voice. “

Ike noted that the passage of the gender bills would go a long to ensure the inclusion of more women in government, including the legislature at the federal and state levels.

The National Assembly had in 2018 rejected five gender bills seeking amongst others to create special seats for women at the National and state assemblies.

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Nevertheless, Ike, who doubles as chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, urged women not to waver in their push for the passage of the gender bills, in the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended).

She applauded the resilience of female journalists and other women for breaking barriers and making their voices heard in the traditionally male-dominated spaces the country.

According to her, “dear sisters, it is an honour to address you all on this great occasion of the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration, organised by the Female Journalist Network. As we gather under the theme ‘Together: Ensure inclusivity, loud her voice,’ we are reminded of the indispensable role women play in shaping our societies and charting the course towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

‘This year, our words would become action and a force that will pull us all to the promise land. There is just one bend before we get to the end of the tunnel and I see light already.

“Inclusivity is not a fleeting notion but a cornerstone upon which our movement thrives. By embracing diverse voices and perspectives, we sow the seeds of a future where every woman flourishes.”