‘Gender Equality Bill Not in Conflict With 1999 Constitution, Customs’

By Adedayo Akinwale

Following the ill-fated journey of the Gender Equality Opportunities Bill, which was rejected during the second reading by the National Assembly on the 15th March 2016, the Civil Resources Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC) Nigeria Wednesday clarified that the draft legislation was not in conflict with Nigeria’s 1999 constitutional provisions or customs of some communities.

Its Executive Director, and Coordinator Affirmative Action Initiative for Women (NCAA), Mrs. Oby Nwanko, made the clarification at the tribunal on Women’s Right on Political Participation in Nigeria and Strategy Meeting on GEO Bill.

She said while tribunals are not legal proceedings per se, and do not have power to enforce recommendations, but stressed that they nonetheless have effected changes in attitudes and policies concerning women.

Nwanko noted that having victims of the violations speaking publicly about these abuses and bringing out the violations of human rights involved in the actions, they attract condemnation of the violations from well meaning people.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Related Articles