The Gender and Equality Opportunities Bill, seeking the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and persons with disabilities (PWDs) has passed second reading at the Senate.
The promoter of the bill, Biodun Olujimi, senator representing Ekiti South, was forced to withdraw the bill after some of the upper chambers of the National Assembly raised “socio-cultural and Islamic concerns” in 2021.
The Senate agreed that the concerns raised by some of the members be removed and should be put up for consideration for passage.
Olujimi who led the debate on the proposed legislation on Wednesday, said it will create a conducive atmosphere for women and persons with disabilities in the country.
“The bill seeks to implement section 42 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. It also seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women,” she said.
“It will ensure the equality of opportunities for every person.
“You will find this bill beneficial for the clear and constructive ways the bill seeks to address several forms of issues bedevilling men and women in their constituencies in issues of land ownership, inheritance, education, employment and the rising tide of sexual and gender-based violence in private and public spaces of institutions of learning.
“The bill further consolidates senate’s courageous passage of the bill on sexual violence in higher institutions in Nigeria, assuring girls, women and men of protection from abuse and exploitation in our schools.”
Sabi Abdullahi, deputy chief whip of the senate in his contribution to the debate, said Olujimi failed to highlight the areas that have been changed in the legislation.
He said it is necessary to highlight those areas so that it could be passed for the third reading.
Another senator, Yusuf Yusuf, representing Taraba Central, said the title of the bill should reflect “equity” and not “equality”.
The bill was put up for voting by Ovie Omo-Agege, deputy senate president, and was passed for second reading.
Last week at the valedictory meeting of the executive council of the Federation of Buhari administration approved a new Women’s Economic Empowerment Policy for the country.
