Emerge Women, a non-governmental organisation advocating for the rights of women in Nigeria has called on the National Assembly to reverse its action of voting against all 5 gender bills presented by Nigerian women by accepting the demands as part of the Electoral Act.
According to Emerge Women, Nigerian women are disenfranchised and aggrieved at the actions of the 9th National Assembly (NASS) on March 1, 2022, when they(NASS) denied women the opportunity of inclusion and representation in governance by their vote.
It therefore asked the National Assembly to do the needful, and appealed to other Nigerians to support protests staged by women to press home their demands.
A Press Statement signed by Mary Ikoku, CEO and Founder of Emerge Women read in parts:
“We hereby demand a repeal of these history making gender bills that were aborted by the National Assembly members in a month where the world is recognizing women, their achievements, their tenacity and their contributions to the development in different spheres of society.
“The proposed gender bills in the 5th Constitution were targeted at addressing the current gender imbalance in the legislative arm of governments across the country whilst reducing the under-representation of women in political office.
“These bills witnessed the National Assembly
-Denying citizenship to a foreign-born husband of a Nigerian woman. (While it allows Nigerian men’s foreign-born wives to be awarded automatic citizenship);
-Denying Nigerian women indigeneity through marriage;
-Denying 35 per cent appointed positions for women and settling for 20 per cent;
-Denying women affirmative action in party administration and leadership; and
-Denying specific seats for women in the National Assembly.
“The men of the 9th NASS have reinforced the discrimination and political bias against women as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.
“We condemn this shameful representation of Nigeria and consider this a breach of international laws as they are hereby seen as opposing the globally documented Beijing agreement of 35% affirmative action.
“We will continue to intensify demands for gender equality and call on all women, CSOs, groups, CBOs, FBOs, the media and the world at large to join in this advocacy for women.
“Say no to this denial of human rights in every way possible.
“Each woman, tell one, bring one to Occupy NASS.
“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights”
– Gloria Steinem”, the statement read.