Echoes from the 2016 celebration of the International Women’s day suggest that more women in the country are committed to gender equality, are open to accessing opportunities in the domain of work and in economic and political leadership, whilst standing up to make their voices heard against violence and discrimination, writes SUZAN IRONSI
Recently, the world marked International Women’s Day, a day set aside to celebrate women for their achievements and to canvass for equal rights. Yet, after the pomp and ceremony, followed with extensively made pledges to support Gender Parity, Nigeria’s Senate on March 15, rejected a gender equality bill titled ‘Gender Parity and Prohibition of Violence against Women’ which was sponsored by the Senate Minority Whip, Biodun Olujimi from Ekiti South Senatorial District. The bill sought to empower women with equal prospects in marriage, education and employment, in line with the United Nations Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. However, in a seemingly Deja vu moment, Senator Sani Yerima , famed for having endorsed the model of child brides under religious grounds, condemned the bill, stating that it was in conflict with the Nigerian Constitution. In response, Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki has indicated that the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill which was rejected by the Senate will be reintroduced after addressing grey areas which some senators overruled due to religious and traditional beliefs.
Weighing in on the matter, Senator Princess Stella Oduah, representing Anambra North Senatorial District and also one of the few female Senators, expressed that, “The fact that we are still discussing equal rights for women in 2016 is unacceptable. I have always emphasized the indispensable role of women in nation-building. It is also no longer news that women are the bedrock of governance and should be allowed equal opportunities to represent the true meaning of their existence. As we look forward to the rebirth of the GEOBill, It is pertinent that we all join forces to enlighten our countrymen on how vital this Bill is to our progress as a modern State.”
Also, according to Tunde Aremu, the Policy, advocacy and campaigns manager at Action Aid who commented on the issue on his Facebook platform, he expressed that it was strange that anyone would get up at the national assembly and oppose a bill seeking to protect our mothers, wives, daughters, aunts, nieces and friends and hide under religion to do so. He wrote, “He actually showed hatred for his mother, wife (or is it wives?), daughters in standing against that bill. And citing religion for his contempt for our mothers and daughters he also lied against God. I’ve read most religious books; none ever said God or his appointed representatives is against women’s rights.”
Over the years, the empowerment of women continues to be a central feature of efforts to address social, economic and political challenges across Nigeria. Some Nigerian women who responded on the pronouncement from the Senate, denounced the development, and shared narratives which ranged from the alleged on-going restriction by women to inherit property from their father like their male siblings, landlords discriminating against single women, and discrimination and condescension towards women who report domestic abuse in the police station. As expressed by Nollywood actor, Uche Jumbo, “These are basic rights! Equal opportunities for men and women; let’s get this off the way ‘Women Empowerment is not a threat Senators’ anything done to assist the Nigerian woman is done to assist Nigeria. Simple.”
Though influenced cultural, religious and socialisation influenced drawbacks, Nigeria has still been able to produce notable women whose legacies have had remarkable effects on the economy and form the thrust of numerous social welfare programs today. To mention a few, the Late Dr Maryam Babangida is attributed to have built the National Women Centre, which at present is the venue for people like 20-year-old Catering student Faustina Innocent, who aims to take advantage of the opportunity to attain her self-actualisation and empowerment goals. The National Hospital, centrally known as being one of the few better equipped Health care institutions in the country, and also the International Cancer Centre have the imprints of Hajiya Mariam Abacha and Hajiya Turai Yar’adua, respectively. Titi Atiku’s “Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) is also recognised for championing the anti-trafficking Bill that later gave birth to NAPTIP.
Despite tagged as pet programmes, like that of the present Wife of the president, Mrs Aisha Buhari’s ‘Future Assure’ that supports access to good health care or the ‘Better life for rural women’ or ‘family support programme’, each package leaves a standing mark.
At the recently concluded International Women’s day celebration in Abuja, the Minister for Women Affairs and social development, Senator Aisha Alhassan stressed the importance of continued action to secure gender equality goals and accelerate measures aimed at advancing the situation of women and girls in the Nigeria. The minister’s avowal is one that resonates globally, as data reveals that when women and girls have equal access to education and go on to participate fully in business, making economic decisions; they can be key driving forces against poverty.
The agenda, ‘planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality’, is another unequivocal commitment to advance gender equality and empower women and girls around the world. Female personalities like Senator Remi Tinubu, asked, “Where are women making giant strides?” And the wife of the Minister of Solid minerals, Mrs Fayemi, implored Nigerian women to be their ‘Sister’s Keeper’. Renowned broadcaster Moji Makanjuola also expressed that, “social ills are still rampant within the Nation and parity should be inclusive. We should be able to, at this stage, do away with things that inhibit us, and we cannot set limits for women and girls in National development.” Similarly, Senator Alhassan reiterated that this year’s celebration provides an opportunity to reflect on a number of issues, including the Sustainable Development Goals which has implications for Women and Girls.
According to the UN Women representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr Grace Ongile, who spoke at an event in Abuja,” To arrive at a future we want, we cannot leave anyone behind. Women and girls are critical to finding sustainable solutions to the challenges of poverty, inequality’s, and the recovery of the communities hardest hit by conflicts, disasters and displacements.” This was reinforced by Pauline Torehall from the European Union delegation who emphasised that equality between men and women has been one of the core values of the EU, enshrined in its legal and political framework. She further said that the EU supported and funded projects that contribute to health initiatives focused on women and children in Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi States. For the EU Representative, gender equality is about creating a world where our daughters and sons have equal opportunities and the 50-50 goal is realistic.
To support the actualisation of gender parity, Senator Alhassan emphasised that there would be streamlining and reorganising of work by the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development through deepened partnerships with stakeholders, empowerment of rural women by strengthening of the gender responsive budgeting initiative (GWIN) program, the expansion of the e-wallet programme with 3 million women already registered; extending women’s water management initiative to more rural communities; introducing women business incubation scheme; training women agricultural extension workers; the implementation of the social protection scheme and advocacy for the domestication of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2016 at all State levels.
She conveyed that, “While many achievements have been made in the advancement of women, I met many challenges upon resumption of office and I am committed to tackling those issues. Challenges include a weak and inadequate capacity to conduct gender mainstreaming; poor institutional framework resulting in the lack of synergy with critical stakeholders. There is also the issue of inadequate performance of the regulatory and supervisory functions of the Ministry especially to cover its mandate areas and the paucity of competent staff to handle the complexity of gender issues which are dynamic, context-specific and constantly evolving.”
It was further highlighted that the actions to be undertaken formed part of strategies indicated in the medium term strategic plan of the Ministry, the 2016 budget and priorities of the National Gender Policy which would be launched after due approval by the Federal Executive Council
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