Sad, As Lawmakers Disappoint Nigerian Women, A Week To International Women’s Day -By Isaac Asabor

There is no denying the fact that in countries where women are held in high esteem, and have their rights respected that campaigns ahead of International Women’s Day (IWD) by each passing year, particularly on March 8, are usually organized to highlight what women go through on a daily basis. Such campaigns are no doubt characterized by a variety of themes aimed at engendering equality, breaking gender stereotyping to empowering them financially.    

Ahead of International Women’s Day in such countries, brands across categories might have by now launched campaigns and initiatives to celebrate the spirit of womanhood, even as some organizations are wont to launch a campaign that puts the spotlight on the sensitive issue of gender-based wealth gap as well as to encourage more women to invest.

Unfortunately, in Nigeria, rather than make the women happy by passing the gender equality bills that have been with the lawmakers for ages, their collective hope were shattered as the bills were rejected, and thus not passed. It is not an exaggeration to say that the women were highly disappointed, particularly as the bills were rejected few days to March 8, 2022 which is invariably their day.

In reaction to the obvious retrogressive development, scores of Nigerian women protested on Wednesday at the National Assembly against the rejection of the bills seeking gender equality in the country.

The women who trooped out in their numbers appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the gender bills, blaming them for choosing to deny them the opportunity of inclusion and representation in governance by voting against the bills.

At this juncture, it is expedient to say that not only were the women disappointed but men were equally disappointed as the rejection of the bills can aptly be described to be an act of misogyny. In fact, the rejection has continued to attract criticisms with civil society groups calling on the lawmakers to reconsider the bill.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the governor of Edo State described the action of the national assembly as “Painful and unconscionable,” noting that, “The recent developments at the national assembly, in which five bills seeking affirmative action and inclusion for women were vehemently shut down by members, is most regrettably and unsettling.”

According to him, “This is because the legislature is the bastion of democracy and a critical platform for fair representation and inclusion in government.

“It is therefore painful and unconscionable that these bills which provide a fillip for accommodating women who make up about 50 percent of the voting population, are subjected to such a sorry fate.

“It is heartbreaking that the national assembly members missed a golden opportunity to redesign Nigeria’s political landscape by enshrining landmark legislation that promotes inclusion and provides women with the legal backing to gain equitable representation at the apex level of lawmaking and political participation.”

The governor asked the national assembly to provide opportunities for women to able to participate in politics and governance.

In the same vein, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said the rejection of five gender bills by the National Assembly was a huge embarrassment to the womenfolk and a serious setback to Nigeria’s democratic progress.

Wike wondered the kind of humanity that collectively describes the lawmakers that the leadership of APC and its members have to deny women desirable roles in politics.

He made the assertion at the inauguration of the Ahoada-Odiemerenyi-Ihugbogo-Odieke Road project in Ahoada-East Local Government Area on Friday.

In a statement signed by Kelvin Ebiri, Governor’s media aide and made available to newsmen, Wike said women, including the wife of the President and Vice President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo had approached, lobbied and secured the promise from members of the National Assembly for affirmative action for them.

“Look at what happened in the National Assembly. I watched it and I laughed when I saw how our wives, and women were disgraced.

“It has never happened anywhere. I saw wives of the president and vice president go to the plenary sessions of the National Assembly to lobby them, to please help them.

“They (National Assembly) promised them. The party (APC) promised them. The same party that promised them failed them,” the governor stated.

Wike said such a thing would not be allowed to happen in progressive societies that have continued to harness the potential of women in the advancement of their countries.

He blamed the rejection of the bills on President Muhammadu Buhari’s lack of interest in allowing for affirmative action for women in political administration in the country.

The governor added, “APC controls the National Assembly. If Mr. President was in support of this, there is no way they will disgrace women in the National Assembly. Such shameful thing.”

Governor Wike said the situation in Rivers State was different because women are an integral part of the process of the political administration of the state.

He explained that there are 23 female vice chairmen of local governments in Rivers State, and at least five female councillors in each local government area. According to him, this is a result of deliberate policy implemented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in the state.

“Today, in this State, all 23 vice chairmen are women. Today, in this State, we said we must have five women as councilors in each local government. It is a matter of policy and it is leadership,” he stated.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to urge Nigerian women to continue its advocacy for gender equality by leveraging on what the International Women’s Day stands for, and which encompasses to celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about women’s equality, lobby for accelerated gender parity and fundraising for female-focused charities. In the same vein, the women should in their campaigns be harping on the hashtag of this year’s IWD celebration which is #BreakTheBias. This is because, whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists is not enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.