Fresh hope… senate reconsiders gender equality bill

The gender equality bill, originally titled: ‘Gender Parity and Prohibition of Violence against Women’, has been re-drafted and presented to the senate, raising hopes that it could be reconsidered.

Biodun Olujimi, senator representing Ekiti south senatorial district, had presented the bill in March, but some lawmakers led by Sani Yerima from Zamfara state, cited religious and cultural reasons for its rejection.

However, Olujimi told TheCable on Monday that she believes the bill would be endorsed during its re-introduction.

She said it had already passed first reading.

“It has gone for first reading,” she said and added that she believes it will be endorsed.

The bill seeks to ensure gender parity, equal economic opportunities, and equality in marriage especially in terms of inheritance and land rights.

Back then, Yerima had said it contradicted Nigeria’s law and traditions and was in conflict with the constitution.

He said the bill negates the principles of the Sharia law, which the constitutions regards.

Bukola Saraki, senate president, put it to a vote, to which the opposing senators shouted a thunderous “nay”, and subsequently had their way.

The bill was being read a second time when it was rejected.

Saraki, at the time, said the bill could be re-drafted and re-presented to the senate