Group Advocates Passage of Gender Bills

Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), a non-profit civil rights organisation, has urged the National Assembly to consider passing the five gender bills into law as part of the ongoing constitution amendment. WARDC, in collaboration with USAID and SCALE/PALLADIUM, made the call at a knowledge-building roundtable for media professionals in Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bills are aimed at greater constitutional inclusion of gender/ women’s rights.

The bills are seeking, among other things, affirmative actions in political party administration and ministerial and commissionership appointments.

They also seek expansion of the scope of citizenship by registration.

Recall that WARDC and some other women groups and private individuals had stormed the National Assembly in March 2022, demanding the passage of the gender bills.

The Executive Director of WARDC, Dr Abiola Akioyode-Afolabi, said that one of the bills sought reservation of 111 seats to women in the National Assembly to address the low representation of women.

“The National Assembly should ensure affirmative action for women in political party administration to enable more women participation and voice,’’ she said.

She noted that one of the bills sought granting of citizenship to foreign husbands of Nigerian women, adding that one of the bills sought allocation of at least 10 per cent of ministerial positions to women.

“The fifth bill sought to ensure indigeneship rights to women to avoid the discrimination and violence women suffer in a bid to participate effectively in society”, she further said.