Anambra Traders Appoint Women Into Market Caretaker Committees
Cross section of women caretaker vommi
Women traders have been appointed as ex-officio members into the leadership structures of all 158 structured markets in Anambra State.
This development seeks to address the longstanding exclusion of women from decision-making circles in markets, despite women constituting a significant percentage of the trading population.
The President-General of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association (ASMATA), Chief Humphrey Anuna, performed the inauguration recently at the ASMATA office in Onitsha.
Chief Anuna stated that the move was in compliance with an official directive signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evaristus Uba.
The letter reads:
“This is to notify all chairmen of various market caretaker committees that the Anambra State Government, through the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, has authorized the PG ASMATA to appoint one woman ASMATA coordinator as an ex-officio member of each market caretaker committee where none exists.
“While the government appreciates your efforts and sacrifices towards the promotion of peace and harmony in the markets, you are enjoined to comply with this directive.”
This development marks a significant achievement for the Citizens Mobilization for Awareness Creation on Gender Equity, Social Inclusion, and Accountability project.
The project was implemented by the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) in partnership with the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
With this implementation, the ASMATA President-General explained that every market in the state now has a woman serving as an ex-officio executive member.
He said, “Personally, I support women’s inclusion in market activities and decision-making spaces. The goal is that before any law or policy is passed, women should examine it from their perspective and determine whether it is favorable to the female gender.”
Anuna also urged the newly appointed women leaders to prioritize the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in their respective markets as their first task.
In her remarks, Mrs. Ugochi Ehiahuruike, Executive Director of SIDEC, praised the inclusion of women in market leadership, stating that women possess the natural ability to excel in leadership, often surpassing their male counterparts.
Ehiahuruike described the move as a major milestone for the campaign, which was made possible through the efforts of WRAPA.
“This is a step in the right direction toward including more women in decision-making spaces. We’re happy this is happening now. To you, the women leaders, there is much work ahead. You have an opportunity to prove what you can do. Don’t waste it.”she said.
She also urged the women traders to take an active interest in leadership roles, emphasizing that they possess the ability to succeed.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. I charge you to act as ambassadors of women. Going forward, we want to see more women in the Governor’s cabinet, in Igwe’s cabinets, in the House of Assembly, and beyond. While we appreciate this appointment, we are also asking the government to do more by reserving a percentage of leadership positions strictly for women at all levels.” she added.
Mrs. Theresa Nnalue, President of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Anambra State Chapter, who was represented at the occasion, welcomed the inclusion of women traders in market leadership.
“I advise you, fellow women, let’s shun the ‘pull-her-down’ syndrome. It goes against our collective quest for fair treatment. Instead, let’s support one another. Only then can we truly achieve our goals.”dhe stated.
Comrade Ugochukwu Okeke, Chairman of the Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter, commended ASMATA’s leadership for its sincerity in promoting inclusion in market decision-making structures.
While advocating for the further inclusion of traders with disabilities, Okeke emphasized the urgent need to make market infrastructure accessible to PWDs.
In response, ASMATA Woman Leader Mrs. Grace Okonkwo expressed her deep gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo and assured that the women would live up to expectations.
Several of the newly appointed women leaders, including Mrs. Rose Mina (Onitsha Main Market), Mrs. Nkiru Ejike (Ogbaru Women Leader), and Ugochi Nevorji (Relief Market, Ogbaru), pledged not to betray the confidence reposed in them.
