The senate has stepped down a bill which seeks to prohibit discrimination against women, persons with disability, and provide equal opportunities for all gender in Nigeria.
The Bill which was first brought to the Senate In the 7th, 8th and now 9th Assembly, failed to scale second reading
The bill entitled Gender And Equal Opportunities Bill 2021. Sponsored by senator Olujimi, Biodun representing Ekiti South Seeks to allow for the domestication of the Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), as well as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of the Women in Africa.
According to senator Olujimi the Bill when enacted will provide a legal basis and foundation upon which there will be a formal, structured and institutional responses to prevent discrimination and provide for the rights of men and women, the equality of all persons and opportunities availed to all citizens including persons with disability in Nigeria.
Kicking against the bill, senator Yusuf Yusuf representing Taraba central, said the equality of the male and female gender “infringes on the Quran.”
Senator Aliyu Wamakko, representing Sokoto north, said equality is wrong when it comes to Islamic and socio-cultural practices
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie- Omo Agege said the bill should be allowed to scale second reading while concerns against it would be tackled during its public hearing.
In a remark President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan said the concerns of the senators speaking against the bill must be addressed if the proposed legislation must pass in the interest of the country.
By James itodo..