..Says It Shows Lack of Respect For Women By APC Controlled Assembly
By Gbenga Sodeinde
National Executive Council Member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) representing Ado Ekiti branch, Olakami Samuel Falade Esq. has condemned the rejection of five gender bills by National Assembly, “shows lack of respect for our women by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled National Assembly”.
Apparently irked by the rejection of the Bills, Falade who described it as a setback for country’s Democratic Advancement, added that if approved, would have addressed the obvious gender imbalance across the legislative arm of governments across the country by reducing the under-representation of women in politics by further encouraging women’s active participation in politicking.
Barrister Falade said the bills for special seats for women in the legislature, indigeneship, citizenship and 35 percent party leadership were not too much for the National Assembly to have approved for these women, saying denying Nigeria women the opportunity of better inclusion and greater representation in governance by voting against the pro-gender bills showed lack of respect for then by the current political leaders.
“This is situation is ugly, and is unfortunate, besides, it amount to contravention of the country’s international legal obligations by the National Assembly for obviously denying Nigeria women the opportunity of better inclusion and greater representation in governance.
“To me, this is an open discrimination and political bias against women in the country and it is shameful, and ridiculous.
Despite the involvement and intervention of women leaders, including the wives of the president and vice president, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo respectively, who had reportedly approached, lobbied and secured the promise from members of the National Assembly for affirmative action for them, yet, they were rejected”
Why urging the National Assembly to reconsider its decision and take proactive and affirmative action in providing more opportunities for women to participate in politics, governance, and all spheres of human endeavour, Falade called on women leaders to jointly condemn this, and fight for their rights.