COMMUNIQUE REACHED AT THE END OF THE TWO-DAY NATIONAL PROGRESSIVES WOMEN CONFERENCE, HELD AT THE ABUJA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, (AICC) FCT.

COMMUNIQUE REACHED AT THE END OF THE TWO-DAY NATIONAL PROGRESSIVES WOMEN CONFERENCE, HELD AT THE ABUJA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, (AICC) FCT.

1.0 PREAMBLE The women of the All Progressives Congress held its two-day National Progressives Women Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday 18th – 19th January 2022, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The event attracted women representatives from across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The event was well attended, and participants deliberated heartily on how the Party could improve the status of women in the context of party politics, especially within the APC.

2.0 PURPOSE The purpose of the Conference was to plan a fruitful and inclusive All Progressives Congress National Women conference that will galvanize momentum for gender equality, fuel, generate ideas and set roadmap for action for women participation in politics.
It was also charged to identify solutions to issues of women impediments and drive change for Progressive women in Nigeria.

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3.0 THEME The theme of the conference centered on ONE VOICE: Women uniting for progress.

4.0 RESOLUTIONS at the end of the conference, participants agreed as follows:

5.0 THE NEED FOR INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS  i. Board of Trustees (BOT)Participants recognized that there is need for the effective representation of women in the Party Board of Trustees – BOT.

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ii. Creation of Aspirants’ Forum That it is pertinent to create Women Aspirants Forum where women could meet to share ideas, leverage resources and speak with one voice.

iii. Mentorship Committee We recognized the need for a Mentorship Committee to help up- and- coming aspirants especially the young ones, to develop the courage and audacity to step up to the plate of political contests.

iv. Progressive Women Trust FundWe recognize the critical role that money plays in politics in the country. Consequently, many women may not even have the money to pay the required registration fees. A Trust Fund would enable us extend resource to women aspirants who have great potentials but lack the enabling financial resources.

v. Convention and Constitution Review Committee there is need to review the Party constitution to enshrine affirmative action provisions in the grand rules of the Party and ensure.

vi. Lobby GroupWe should set up lobby groups comprising experienced and reputable women personalities to be able to negotiate and canvas on issue affecting women, especially their inclusion at levels of party hierarchy and in governance.

6.0 OTHER AREAS THAT REQUIRE ATTENTION.

i. We request for the emergence of not less than 35 per cent of the of elective and appointive positions of governance.

ii. Time has come for the inclusion of more women in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party.          

iii. There should be an increase in the membership of women in the BOT as stated above, party caucuses as well as the NEC. These means that the bodies may need to be expanded to include women.

iv. Implementation of the twinning system at all levels of governance.

v. Unveiling of the Progressive Women Trust Fund towards supporting women contestants. Furthermore, this should be given a statutory backing in the constitution of our party.

7. 0 CONCLUSION; There is need for a comprehensive review of the constitution of the Party to give a backing to the demands of this conference as a clear roadmap for action towards galvanizing women in the Party.

We hereby appeal to all stakeholders of the Party to support the implementation of this resolution.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022