A coalition of women groups led by Chioma Uzodimma, the wife of Imo state governor, has called on the Imo House of Assembly to support the call for women’s rights to political participation.

The group made the call on Tuesday during a protest march to the house as part of activities marking the International Women’s Day celebration in Owerri.

Mrs Uzodimma, represented by the Commissioner for Gender and Vulnerable Groups, Nkechi Ugwu, urged the speaker to ensure the bills supporting women’s rights were passed as soon as possible.

While describing the sidelining of women in politics as unfair, she called for the matter to be reviewed at the state level.

In her address, the chairman of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ndidi Anike, said they had the mandate to speak up for women and girls.

She further called on women to boycott the 2023 elections if the position is not upturned and reviewed to capture the rights of women to participate in the decision making process.

The speaker, Kennedy Ibeh (APC Obowo) in his response, said it was unfortunate that women have had to resort to protest marches to register their displeasure rather than celebrate their special day.

He said that the house was not unmindful of the provisions of the constitution which does not support the exclusion of women on the basis of gender.

(NAN)