On Tuesday March 8, 2022, women in Nigeria are expected to join other women across the world to mark the International Women’s Day, IWD. However, they will be doing so on a sore note given the lack of women’s advancement in the constitutional review process in the country.
Last week, the Nigeria’s National Assembly downplayed the interests of women in the 68 constitutional amendments it deliberated on.
Of the various clauses for amendments, five were of significant interests to women and those clamouring for gender parity and inclusion. The five dealt with issues relating to the promotion of women participation in politics, governance and the society.
A breakdown shows that one of the bills sought to allocate 35 per cent of political positions based on appointments to women.
One sought to create special seats for women in National and state Assemblies. Another focused granting citizenship to foreign husbands of a Nigerian woman. But the lawmakers at the National Assembly could not see any reason why a foreign husband of a Nigerian woman will be denied citizenship, when a foreigner married to a Nigerian man easily takes on citizenship of Nigeria.
It is, therefore, understandable that the women have been enraged and in demonstration of their angst, have been protesting since last week at the National Assembly complex on a daily basis.
Since the Nay votes on the five clauses, opinions have remained divided on the matter with some arguing that the women did not do enough to push for the passage of the pro-women clauses until the last minute.
There are those who are persuaded that the legislators ought to know better by voting overwhelmingly for the clauses to guarantee more women participation so that Nigeria will make hay on gender parity on the global scale.
One of those who have sought political capital on the vexatious matter is Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state who has urged the women to use the IWD as an opportunity to massively protest against the NASS’s position.
“I hear on Tuesday there will be celebration of International Women’s Day. I ask Nigerian women, what are you celebrating? Other countries can celebrate their women, Nigeria cannot celebrate their women.
“Take that particular day, demonstrate against APC which has refused women to be recognised in this country. Don’t go there and begin to dance, there is nothing to dance about until they recognise you. It is only when Nigeria recognises you, then you can dance,” Wike stated.
Also, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Sam Nkire, from Abia state called on members of the National Assembly to reconsider the passage of the Gender Bill, which seeks special seats for women in the National and State Assemblies.
Nkire noted that Nigeria is too prominent on the global stage to play second fiddle in gender rights and parity issues.
While it is their constitutional prerogative to hold rallies and protests, it is about time that the women begin to take stock and ask themselves where the rain began to beat them and seek measures to redress the missing piece in the puzzle.
Rather than to agonise especially given legislative rules and practices, it will be difficult for the matter to reopened by the NASS. Rather, the women should find the missing gaps in the amendments and see how they can exploit it for women’s interest.
While we agree that women deserve more, it should be worked for and not be served on a silver platter only for such an opportunity be thrashed on the altar of mediocrity and fashion consciousness.
