Policy on Women

Although women in Nigerian societies have played every role including those of being monarch, warrior or priest, there is no doubt whatsoever that in the allocation of power and resources we have favoured men. In the spirit of post - Beijing reconstruction for the achievement of gender parity and a more inclusive democracy, the All progressives Grand Alliance will take the following measures for the empowerment of the fair sex who, according to the 1991 National Census, constitute half (49.6%) of the Nigerian electorate.

i. APGA will sponsor public enlightenment programmes to fight gender inequality and gender insensitivities in every aspect of our national life.

ii. APGA will promote affirmative action by employers to place women in positions of authority.

iii. APGA will use the media and other means of persuasion to promote the education of the girl child on a basis of equality with the boy child and as we proceed into an era of compulsory education, it will be a breach of the law to withdraw girls from the school system .for any reason whatsoever until they attain the age of sixteen years.

iv. APGA will review credit guidelines in the relevant sections of the banking industry to make it easier for women (who are active in agriculture and the informal sector) to have access to credit.
v. APGA will sponsor legislation forbidding marriage before the age of 18 which is the recognized age for adulthood. In addition, a deliberate programme of re-orientation would be embarked upon to protect the dignity of the girl child by discouraging harmful customary practices and imposition of marriage partners upon young girls.

vi. APGA will support through scholarships and special grants, girls and women who show exceptional skills in their academic pursuits.

vii. APGA will review all labour laws which are insensitive to the special position of women as mothers and home builders.

viii. APGA will ensure that every facility is made available for women athletes to excel in their special discipline in athletics and sports.

ix. APGA will encourage women to seek elective office in local governments, the states and at the federal level.

APGA will give women senior political appointments in the spirit of Beijing Declaration.