The bill on Gender
Equality has passed its second reading at the senate today. Recall that the
bill was rejected in October 2015, when some members opposed it on the
grounds that it was in conflict with their religious and cultural beliefs. However, Abiodun Olujimi, a senator from Ekiti
south, reintroduced the bill .
”It seeks to promote equality and development of all
persons in Nigeria,” she said.
“To guarantee effectiveness, the bill adopts special
measures on discrimination against persons. It provides that all appropriate
measures be taken to eliminate discrimination against women in private and
public life.
”It also prohibits all forms of violence against women,
whether political, domestic or cultural. It prohibits all forms of
trafficking in women.”
Speaking on the bill, Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate
president, said that some sections of the bill were already in the
constitution. He suggested that those sections be looked into at the committee
stage.
However, Olusola Adeyeye, senate chief whip, disagreed with
him, saying that affirmative laws were needed to address the problem of gender
inequality.
Also speaking, Remi Tinubu, a Senator from Lagos Central,
urged her colleagues to support the bill.
“I rise to support this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do
the same. We cannot undermine the role of women in society,” she said.
“Some think I don’t shake men here maybe because of
religious or cultural reasons. But I don’t shake men because I feel
intimidated.”
After a brief debate on the bill, Senate President Bukola
Saraki called a voice vote, and the senate voted overwhelmingly for it to pass
second reading.
Thereafter, Saraki referred the bill to the committee on
judiciary, human rights and legal matters for more legislative treatment.
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