By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
As Nigeria commemorates the 2022 International Women’s Day, IWD, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, a human rights non-governmental organization has made a clarion call on the National Assembly, the legislative arm of government to reconsider it’s stance on the rejected Gender Bill, which is pivotal to women inclusion in governance and decision making.
AAN decried the outright discard of the Bill and urged the leadership of the National Assembly to substantiate her commitment to gender equality by re-presenting and re-considering the five proposed Gender Bills in the 5th Constitution Alteration Bills that were rejected by both Houses of the National Parliament on 1st March 2022.
Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi who spoke in Abuja said, “In line with this year’s theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”, we had looked forward to really celebrating International Women’s Day 2022 because we thought it would mark a turnaround for Nigerian woman in politics, and a historic win in the struggle for women inclusion in decision making spaces, as the 2023 general elections draw closer.”
“Sadly, the decision of the 9th National Assembly has threatened the achievement of adequate women representation in governance, as they have outrightly demonstrated by their votes, that they do not want women inclusion in decision making.”
“If, in 2022, we still have to argue for or against the pivotal role of women in governance, it means our leaders are deliberately resistant to change and still have a lot of learning to do.”
According to Obi, the Gender Bill is the only way to address the current gender imbalance and possibly close the gender parity across the legislative arms of governments and across the country.
She noted that the National Gender Policy states that gender equality and women’s empowerment are basic human rights that lie at the heart of equitable development and the country is a signatory to international and regional frameworks such as the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights with the Optional Protocol on Women’s Rights.
AAN therefore urged the Nigerian Government to live up to her commitment to 35% Affirmative Action on women inclusion across all arms of governance,adding that upholding this will also increase the country’s credibility in the international community.
An inclusive governance is only possible when women sit at the decision-making tables, contribute to planning and national development to find solutions to the many problems plaguing the nation such as climate change and insecurity, she stressed.
Obi further emphasized that no nation can progress with over 50% of its population excluded from contributing to its development. Failure to recognize this is simply planning to fail from the beginning, she concluded.
AAN used the occasion to salute Nigerian women for the continued struggle. “As women, we shall never be intimidated by any insensitive decision; this even makes women grow stronger in the fight for a just society.”
“As we commemorate this day, let history have it that Nigerian women refused to stay quiet in the face of oppression and rights denial.”
This, once again, provides an opportunity to demonstrate oneness of voice.
AAN called on more women’s group to join their voices in the action as against the rejection of the Bills, adding , “We encourage the women to work and walk in solidarity, to keep the flag of womanhood flying, we are strengthened by the knowledge that this struggle is for posterity. “
