By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday read for the second time, the Gender Bill, a proposed piece of legislation now renamed the “Gender and Equality Opportunities Bill’.
It is targeted at eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and people living with disabilities and other vulnerable people.
If assented to by the President, it will encourage women to aspire and reach their full potentials, the sponsor Senator Biodun Olujimi had stated.
The Ekiti State Senate member (PDP) expressed concern there are real and nuanced forms of discrimination against women, limiting their entry into mist formal spheres of work.
In December 2021, Senator Olujimi was asked to withdraw the proposed legislation after some of her colleagues raised arguments that the bill is against their socio-cultural and religious beliefs.
When enacted, it will also assist in dislodging the barriers to women’s equal access to all forms of financial credit, technical assistance, family benefits and other aspects of cultural life.
The Senate had resolved that the concerns raised should be removed, directing the sponsor to make wider consultations on the issues raised.
Many civil society groups and pro-women organisations had picketed the National Assembly demanding that gender bills in the parliament see the light of the day.
Among other demands, the women want specific seats in the National Assembly, indigeneship of their husband’s state after five years of being together, and 35% affirmative action for women.
