The Senate has rejected a gender equality bill presented before the house.
Sen. Biodun Olujimi (APC-Ekiti), titled the Bill ‘’An Act to Incorporate and enforce certain provisions of the United Nations Convention of all forms of discrimination against women.’’
The tittle was inspired by the controversial abduction and forceful marriage of Ese Oruru and abuse of women in the country.
Section 5 of the Bill, states “every person, body, institution, community, authority or private enterprise whether public organ or body, public institution, individuals, communities or authority and private enterprise in Nigeria shall all appropriate measures, including regulatory policy, fiscal and administrative measures, to ensure the full development and advancement of all persons, especially young women and girl children, for the purpose of guaranteeing to them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of non-discrimination and equality of all persons.”
A motion for consideration of the bill was raised on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, Senators threw the bill and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki did not have any option that to go with the majority which said nay.
It was gathered that male senators, especially from the Northern part of the country did not want the bill passed because of some cultural and religious reasons.
“This Bill has been coming in and out of the Senate, and the men have been shooting it down. Most men, especially from a particular part of the country, have continued to clash with the provisions of the Bill. They don’t want gender parity, and that is why they have been shooting it down.”
“This is not the first time; they have shot it down before. We want gender parity, even though many men do not want this Bill to pass because it will mean less control of their women” the female senator said at the end of the plenary.
Senators who spoke against the bill include Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba-PDP) and Adamu Aliero (APC-Kebbi) Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn Na’Allah (AP –Kebbi ).
