Again, Bill seeking to promote women empowerment, gender equality suffers setback in Senate

The Senate, on Wednesday, stepped down the consideration of women empowerment and gender equality bill, sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti).

The bill seeks to establish a legislative framework for the empowerment of women, to align all aspects of laws and implementation of laws relating to women empowerment and the appointment and representation of women in decision making positions and structures.

The Bill also consolidate government and community protection and zero tolerance for violence in any circumstance, while promoting peace and harmony in homes where all its members are guaranteed equal access and treatment against discrimination particularly for the girl-child accessing education, women participating and contributing to the governance and public life un-inhibited by customary laws, all forms of sexual and gender-based violations as they seek to access education and decent life conditions.”

However, the bill suffered set back on the floor during debate on its general principles.

The bill was earlier rejected in the Eight Senate on the ground that its provisions were not implementable in all parts of the country as it contravenes the principles of Islamic religion and its culture.

Senator Olujimi, in her lead debate, said all stakeholders, including religious leaders, were widely consulted and they all gave the piece of legislation a clean bill of health.

She also disclosed that about 62 senators have written to be co-sponsors of the bill.

However, Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf (APC, Taraba) faulted the bill, saying some of its wordings like “equal opportunity” were at variance with the provisions of the Holy Qur’an.

“I oppose the passage of this bill for second reading until the word ‘equal opportunity is removed,” he said.

Also kicking against the Bill, Senator Aliyu Wamakko, senator representing Sokoto North, said equality is wrong when it comes to Islamic and socio-cultural practices.

He said: “When it comes to socio-cultural practices, it is wrong. When you talk of equity it is okay. When you talk of equality it is no. I will not support it.”

Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi) Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos), Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Sokoto), and Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC, Kebbi) urged that the bill be stepped down and the sponsor should make further consultation with lawmakers to address the concerns raised.

Senators Istifanus Gyang (PDP, Plateau), Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta), Ajibola Basiru (APC, Osun), James Manager (PDP, Delta) supported the passage of the bill for second reading.

They said whatever concern raised in the provisions of the bill would be addressed by stakeholders at the public hearing.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan said it was imperative to address the holes in the bill by senators before going for public hearing.

He said unlike its predecessor, it was obvious that the Ninth Senate was ready to pass the bill but there was the need to work for its survival.

He, therefore, advised the sponsor to withdraw the bill and directed that draft copies be distributed to senators on Thursday for further inputs.

The bill was later withdrawn by Senator Olujimi having considered advice by the Senate President.

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Again, Bill seeking to promote women empowerment, gender equality suffers setback in Senate