SENATORS, on Tuesday, voted against a bill seeking to eliminate all forms of discrimination against womenfolk.
Opponents of the bill sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi insisted that the proposed legislation was in conflict with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and they, therefore, shot it down at the second reading.
The Bill was entitled: “A Bill for an Act to incorporate and enforce certain provisions of the United Nations Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the protocol to the African charter on Human and Peoples rights on the right of women in Africa, and other matters connected therewith.”
Senator Olujimi, in her lead debate, stated that the Bill sought to free women folks from the grip of discriminatory actions that relegated them to the background in all areas of life.
Olujimi added that what the Bill sought to cure were ills against the female gender in the country, as encapsulated in some of the charters the nation had assented to, both in Africa and at the United Nation level.
According to her, “all forms of violence against women are prohibited, whether the violence takes place in private, family or public sphere, including unwanted or forced sex, or traditional, religious or cultural practices harmful to the health, well-being and integrity of the woman.”
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in his contribution to the bill, expressed support for it saying that its intention was good.
He, however, stated that what the nation needed is massive education of the society on the rights and privileges of the women, and not necessarily a new legislation.
However, Emmanuel Bwatcha, in his contributions, traced the origin of women agitation to freedom and equality, which he said emanated from a Catholic faithful who did not like the maltreatment his mother received from his father.
He added that agitation for women empowerment was rising higher by the day, but said caution must be observed in granting absolute freedom through legislation that will work against morals.
Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima also opposed the bill, saying that the Nigerian Constitution had given guarantee to the various rights of women as sought by the new Bill.
His line of argument was toed by Senator Adamu Aliero who also argued that quite a number of the provisions of the Bill contradicted Islamic injunction.
When the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, put the Bill to question through the voice vote, senators who shouted ‘nay’ dominated the vote.
Saraki, thereafter, ruled in the favour of those opposed to the bill.
Following the rejection, Senator Olujimi later addressed newsmen to express her disappointment, lamenting that a strong opposition to the Bill was mounted by some men from a particular part of the country.
Opponents of the bill sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi insisted that the proposed legislation was in conflict with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and they, therefore, shot it down at the second reading.
The Bill was entitled: “A Bill for an Act to incorporate and enforce certain provisions of the United Nations Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the protocol to the African charter on Human and Peoples rights on the right of women in Africa, and other matters connected therewith.”
Senator Olujimi, in her lead debate, stated that the Bill sought to free women folks from the grip of discriminatory actions that relegated them to the background in all areas of life.
Olujimi added that what the Bill sought to cure were ills against the female gender in the country, as encapsulated in some of the charters the nation had assented to, both in Africa and at the United Nation level.
According to her, “all forms of violence against women are prohibited, whether the violence takes place in private, family or public sphere, including unwanted or forced sex, or traditional, religious or cultural practices harmful to the health, well-being and integrity of the woman.”
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in his contribution to the bill, expressed support for it saying that its intention was good.
He, however, stated that what the nation needed is massive education of the society on the rights and privileges of the women, and not necessarily a new legislation.
However, Emmanuel Bwatcha, in his contributions, traced the origin of women agitation to freedom and equality, which he said emanated from a Catholic faithful who did not like the maltreatment his mother received from his father.
He added that agitation for women empowerment was rising higher by the day, but said caution must be observed in granting absolute freedom through legislation that will work against morals.
Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima also opposed the bill, saying that the Nigerian Constitution had given guarantee to the various rights of women as sought by the new Bill.
His line of argument was toed by Senator Adamu Aliero who also argued that quite a number of the provisions of the Bill contradicted Islamic injunction.
When the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, put the Bill to question through the voice vote, senators who shouted ‘nay’ dominated the vote.
Saraki, thereafter, ruled in the favour of those opposed to the bill.
Following the rejection, Senator Olujimi later addressed newsmen to express her disappointment, lamenting that a strong opposition to the Bill was mounted by some men from a particular part of the country.
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