Rejection of 5 gender bills is legislative gender-based violence-  League of Women Voters Nigeria to NASS

As women in Nigeria continue to protest the rejection of five key bills that addressed biases against women at the ongoing constitution amendment process by the Nigerian National Assembly, the legislators have been further urged to stop paying lip service to women empowerment and act positively on improving the lives of girls and women.

Charging the lawmakers to open up the space for more women participation and representation for  meaningful and constructive Nation-building, Dr. Rakiya Shonekan, State Chairperson, League Of Women Voters Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter expressed concern that the “9th Assembly chose the month of women’s celebration to humiliate women and womanhood.”

It is noteworthy that for 10 days, a coalition of women’s groups occupied the National Assembly’s gate to protest the rejection of 5 gender bills.

At a recent ceremony marking the International Women’s Day (IWD) at the Abantu Committee Room in Kaduna, Dr. Shonekan said: “We commit to continue to PUSH until we are fully accepted and integrated as co-partners in the Nigerian project.”

Part of her speech read:

Today, we congratulate women all over the world especially Nigerian Women for their achievements, roles, sacrifices, and resilience in keeping families, communities, and the country going. I especially give a resounding power clap to the everyday Nigerian woman mostly found at the grassroots, whose votes, strength, and sweat contribute in no small measure to the existence and development of our nation.

“Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”:  This theme is very apt. For years Nigerian Women have desired and sought Equality and Equity. This has become more intentional and intense since 1995 (Post Beijing).

Nigerian girls and women have always had to contend with stereotypes, bias, barriers, and even violence in a bid to attain their potentials.

Today, we commit to continue to PUSH until we are fully accepted and integrated as co-partners in the Nigerian project. To validate our stand, I refer to the statement of that great human rights defender and statesman, the late Bishop Desmond Tutu who stated inter alia “If we are going to see real development in the world, then our best investment is WOMEN”!!!

National Assembly (NASS) and the Gender Bills

We recall that Nigerian Women proposed five alterations in the fifth Constitution alteration bills.

It is however no longer news that the alteration areas were rejected by an overwhelming 95.5% of the legislators, of course, proposed mostly by men. These proposed alterations are:-

1. Reserved quota (35% affirmative action for women in political positions (appointed).
2. Additional seats for women in federal and state legislatures.
3. Citizenship by registration for Non-Nigerian men married to Nigerian Women.
4. 35% affirmative action for women in political party administration and leadership.
5. Indigeneship through marriage for Nigerian women married to Nigerian men.

It saddens our hearts to know that the 9^th Assembly chose the month of women’s celebration to humiliate women and womanhood. More painful is the fact that these very lawmakers were conceived, carried for nine months, birthed ( in some cases died as they brought forth life), nurtured, campaigned for, and given the mandate to govern by the very women they choose to despise and disregard-this is indeed nothing more than legislative gender-based violence (LGBV).

It is also a clear indication that 95.5% of our lawmakers are guided by gender bias, negative cultural, traditional, and religious norms and beliefs.

They must stop paying lip service to women empowerment but rather act positively on improving the lives of girls and women by opening up the space for participation and representation for meaningful and constructive Nation building.

We, therefore, demand that NASS reconsiders the Gender Bills.

On our part as women, we refuse to give up or be cowered. We resolve not to drop our batons, we are determined, to collaborate with all-female gender-friendly He-for-she to #stop the bias, #stop the barriers and #break the ceilings.

Congratulations Nigerian women!

Congratulations the He for shes!!

Thank you.

The League of Women Voters is a global network originally founded in the U.S.A. about 100 years ago, as the ‘League of Women voters of America.’ The Nigerian chapter which came into existence in 1996, 26 years ago, was founded by Rt. Hon. Dr. Dame Esther Uduehi. NILOWV, Nigeria League of Women Voters has chapters in the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT with over 30 affiliate organizations. Kaduna State chapter was born four years ago.

The League is a civic organization formed to attract and mobilize all females of voting age 18years and above, sensitizing them on the power of their votes and their place in the Nigerian economy. They seek to improve governance and impact policy through advocacy and research. Their membership is all-inclusive and embracing in terms of political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, race, social status, and ability. Very important to them is the fact that they have some supportive male champions (husbands, sons, and others) who believe in their cause.

Meanwhile, a coalition of over 200 women groups said they will hold members of the House of Representatives accountable to their promises to reconsider three of the gender bills earlier voted against. The groups, under the auspices of #NigerianWomenOccupyNass, had, in the last 10 days, held a peaceful protest at the National Assembly (NASS) to press home their demands. Co-covener of the groups, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, during a recent news conference in Abuja, said the women recognised the recommittal of the three of the gender bills by the House of Representatives.

She said the briefing was organised to provide information and updates on the next steps by the women groups after the suspension of the daily protest at NASS on the five gender bills.
Akiyode-Afolabi said the promise by the lower house gave them hope for a better future.
“We also recognise their respect and honour for Nigerian Women by sending a delegation to us yesterday, the 22nd of March, led by the principal officer, Alhassan Doguwa, Majority Leader.
We are determined to hold them accountable for their promises to ensure that within seven legislative days, the gender bills are recommitted and positively voted for the inclusive growth and development of Nigeria.

“We have the commitment of women groups across Nigeria to support lobbying and advocacy to ensure that we reach as many NASS members as possible. We can categorically say that the events in the last few weeks have played an important role in spotlighting these demands and demonstrated women’s optimism, motivation, and resilience in leading positive changes through their dogged insistence,” she said. Akiyode-Afolabi recalled that the group identified and engaged allies to ensure the smooth sail of the five bills before they were killed by the National Assembly.” The First Lady and Governors’ wives are firmly in support of our struggle,” she said.