The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime to urgently put in place a mechanism to check the inflation rate and high cost of living in the country.

A communique issued Sunday and signed by its national secretary, Helen Udofa, said NAWOJ reached the resolution at its national executive committee meeting in Asaba.

“The NEC took a critical look at the increasing cost of products and services in Nigeria and called on the federal government to urgently set up a mechanism to check the rate of inflation and the high cost of living in the country,” it said.

Nigeria’s inflation rate in June 2022 increased to 18.60 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

The meeting presided over by NAWOJ president, Ladi Bala, also urged Mr Buhari’s regime to reconcile its differences with the Academic Staff Union of Universities to end ASUU’s protracted strike.

“The NEC equally further calls on all political parties and their candidates to promote inclusiveness and unity in Nigeria, as the nation prepares for the next general elections,” said NAWOJ.

The association added that the national gender policy on 35 per cent affirmative action should be implemented.

The association demanded women should be encouraged to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVCs) and ensure they exercise their franchise during the 2023 general elections, while underaged voting should be discouraged.

NAWOJ also commended political parties who picked women as running mates in the 2023 general elections.

“NEC decries the alarming rate of out-of-school children in Nigeria, which according to UNICEF statistics is well over 10 million children,” it added.

NAWOJ urged state governments to ensure the domestication of the VAPP law and build and strengthen Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Reference Centres to handle SGBV-related cases and cater for the survivors.

The association also charged the government to strengthen the primary health care system to check the mother and infant mortality rate.

(NAN)