International Women’s Day: Ozigbo Condemns Reps’ Rejection Of Gender Bills

Peoples Democratic Party Candidate in the November 2021 Anambra governorship election,Valentine Ozigbo has condemned the recent rejection of five gender equality Bills by the Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives on the rights of women.

Ozigbo stated this in a statement on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 in Awka to Join the world in celebrating the International Women’s Day.

The day has been set aside as International Women’s Day and celebrated worldwide in 2022 with the theme “Break the Bias”.

While declaring the Nigerian woman as “the strongest creation of the Almighty”, Ozigbo called on members of the House of Representatives to review their votes on those bills.

He hailed Nigerian women and encouraged them to continue being strong and blooming, noting that they deserve better in the country.

Nigerian women, he noted, were marking this year’s event with great disappointment due to the vote of the lawnakers against their rights.

The statement reads, “Today, I celebrate all Nigerian women, the strongest creation of the Almighty, as the world marks International Women’s Day with the theme, Break the Bias,”

“It is pretty sad that for Nigerian women, they mark this year’s event, with great disappointment over the recent vote by the Nigerian House of Representatives to deny women fundamental equal rights.

“The vote by the federal lawmakers, of whom an overwhelming majority are men, underscores the work that still needs to be done in the area of women empowerment, education, development, and equality.

“I believe that the Nigerian woman is the pride of our country. She deserves our support, respect, and encouragement. The time of lighting our brightest lamps and hiding them under a bushel is long gone. Women are the greatest gift to our nation, and they deserve better.

“I, therefore, call for a review of the recent vote by the House of Reps. Our women need to be given the same rights as men in citizenship, transfer of citizenship to their spouses, and equal representation in public life.

“I also call for urgent legislature that would close the gender gap in terms of access to education, healthcare, work opportunities, protections under the law, social discrimination. Our girls and young women need to be given the same opportunities as our boys and men.

“I congratulate all Nigerian women and all women around the world. You are worthy. Keep shining brightly.”

Five Bills to address the issue of gender equality and status of women in areas of education, leadership/representation in political positions and citizenship rights in the constitution had been introduced in House of Representatives but we’re rejected.

This attracted wide criticisms by different groups such as civil society organisations and other concerned members of the society.

The Bills are: 35, 36, 37, 38 & 68 to wit:

Bill to “provide for special seat for women in the National and State Assembly”,

Bill to “expand the scope of citizenship by registration”;

Bill to “provide for affirmative action for women in political party administration”;

Bill to “provide criteria for qualification to become an indigene of a state in Nigeria” and;

Bill to “give women a quota in the federal and state executive councils or ministerial and commissionership seats