The National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has appealed to the National Assembly to consider reintroducing the Gender and Equitable Opportunities Bill (GEOB) to enhance gender inclusion and sustainable development.
The Director General of NILDS , Professor Sulaiman Abubakar explained that legislation when passed would guarantee opportunities for women and girls in the political system and as well remove all barriers impending their participation in leadership positions.
The DG spoke during a two-day workshop organized for all Federal and State Female Lawmakers in Nigeria by NILDS in collaboration with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) on “Gender Responsive Legislations and Budgeting.
He said, “Let me also seize this opportunity to categorically state that the Gender and Equitable Opportunities Bill (GEOB) deserves another look by the National Assembly. The Bill which seeks to promote equal opportunities, and counter socio-cultural barriers that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential, must be prioritised.
“The Bill also ensures the full enjoyment of human rights by women and girls, who are our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters. Therefore, I plead for a quick adoption of the Gender and Equitable Opportunities Bill when reintroduced by the National Assembly and its domestication by the State Houses of Assembly.
“Adopting it will be a practical step towards an ambitious global vision, thereby creating a world where every woman and girl enjoys full gender equality and all legal, social and economic barriers to their empowerment removed.
“Let me also remind us that the role of the Nigerian legislature towards achieving Gender Responsive Budgeting is quite crucial as it is tied to your constitutional mandate and as such should be given adequate attention.”
Speaking at the event, the senate president, Godswill Akpabio who was represented by Senator Sunday Karimi said the National Assembly was committed to deploy legislative interventions in ending the lingering gender inequalities and enhance women participation in the society.
While commending NILDS for the workshop and other interventions in living up to its mandate, the senate president said, “ the timing of the workshop, coming up at a time when the process of amending the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria is still ongoing at the National Assembly is also critical.
“The outcomes of this workshop will definitely be helpful in shaping conversations about gender issues before the Constitution Amendment Committee.
“In addition, promoting gender-responsive legislation and budgeting is an expression of genuine commitment to gender mainstreaming. Gender issues, being a governance and developmental concern the world over, can never be exhausted by any single gathering. No amount of gathering on the matter can ever be excessive.”
On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abas who spoke through the House Leader, Hon Julius Ihonvbere said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to giving more opportunities to women in governance.
“However, despite the notable successes in mainstreaming gender equality in Nigeria, the number of women participating in the decision making process at formal and informal levels still need more attention. Women are not only underrepresented politically but equally continue to hold the shorter end of the stick even in the private sector, religious organisations, and community and village governance.
“ It is therefore a matter of urgency to advance gender responsive legislation and the 10th House of Representatives is taking this seriously. It requires increasing female participation in democracy and the Legislature and for female legislators to play strategic roles in the parliament. We created a Committee on Women Affairs and social development as well as Women in Parliament populated only by women in the House,” he said.
The UN women country representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Beatrice Eyong, said stakeholders in the country must unite to confront the challenges confronting women in their bids to contribute towards national development.
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