By Williams ABAH
The civil society group, Global rights, has expressed worries over the rejection of gender equity bill by the National Assembly, describing it as a ‘profound disappointment’. They made this declaration in Abuja.
According to them the complete rejection of the gender inclusion bills was another sad event that place women as second class citizens there by denying them their legitimate rights.
The rights group stated that opportunity for progress on gender issues has been missed and the message by the Nigerian parliament is clear that the interest and progress of women is not a priority for the nation’s leaders and elected representatives
They added that it is distasteful and unfortunate that all five bills aimed at improving women’s representation and inclusion across major facets of political and economic life in Nigeria, were shut down by an overwhelming majority of both houses of the National Assembly at the beginning of International Women’s Month.
It noted that this singular move was an indicative of the very ugly and oppressive environment towards women that has characterized Nigerian politics and the society at large.
The group further stated that this is happening at a time when women movements in Africa and across the globe are gaining significant momentum, breaking age-old barriers/stereotypes, and improving socio-political and economic outcomes for women.
Global Rights expressed displeasure by these actions of paliamentary representatives which are not only retrogressive, but signify that Nigeria’s political leadership is itself a clog in the wheel of progress of women who account for approximately 50% of its population.
” By rejecting all five bills, the lawmakers have effectively emboldened the naysayers, the misogynists and those who would not cede ground for the advancement of women’s rights to participate in the Nigerian polity.
We call on all Nigerian women and men to sustain their dissent for the parliamentary misguided actions and continue to demand for increased participation and inclusion of women in government, and expansion of women’s civil liberties”. They applaud civil society organizations and civic groups united front in protesting the National Assembly’s actions and demanding better outcomes for women. Global rights call on the National Assembly to reconsider their position on these five bills and revisit these bills in the shortest possible time, if not they will be on the wrong side of history.
It noted that the increased involvement of women in national affairs and expanded scope of their civil liberties is not a threat to Nigeria’s national values, rather it is an opportunity for all-inclusive progress and a better future for Nigerians.
They said National Assembly must reconsider its position as a matter of national urgency.
“We remind all, that a Nigeria in which “Peace and Justice shall reign”, is a Nigeria that accords dignity and equity to all citizens irrespective of the gender, as enshrined in the constitution”.
