Senate to reintroduce 35% affirmation action bill soon - Oduah
- Today, March 8, is the international women’s day globally and Nigeria is not left behind in the celebrations
- Former minister of aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, has promised to work towards the fulfillment of Nigerian women in political circles
- She said the bill for 35 percent affirmative action for women as ministers as well as 20 percent for women as commissioners will soon be reintroduced
The senator representing Anambra North senatorial district, Stella Oduah, has disclosed that the Nigerian Senate will soon reintroduce the bill for 35 percent affirmative action for women as ministers as well as 20 percent for women as commissioners in states.
Senator Oduah made this known on Thursday, March 8, at a press conference in Abuja, as part of activities commemorating this year's International Women's Day.
The senator pointed out that the bill which was rejected by the Senate in July 2017 in the constitution amendment exercise, would be reintroduced and forwarded to the 36 state assemblies for endorsement.
Last year, the proposal failed at the upper legislative chamber as it garnered only the votes of 49 senators, instead of the 73 required to ensure the success of the bill.
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Oduah who is also the vice chairman of the Senate committee on women affairs, said: “The president of the Senate has made that promise and all senators are in agreement, they have concurred to that. It is the right thing to do, and it is way overdue.
“The United Nations has made it very clear that when progress and empowerment is anchored on women, then there would be a more progressive society. Everybody should press for women to emerge, not just politically but in every way. Therefore all activities that have to do with women, we must make sure that we bring it to the front burner. That should be everybody’s campaign.”
The lawmaker who is the president, ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA), added that: “Gender should not be an obstacle, it has not been and it must not been an obstacle. The glass ceiling has been broken many times and we must make sure we smash it.
“My message to Nigerian women today is that they should keep hope alive, they must participate fully and should not allow themselves to be discouraged by anybody.”
Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives, Danlami Kurfi, has moved to empower 2,000 women in Katsina state.
The lawmaker representing Dustinma/ Kurfi federal constituency said the women through the empowerment process will be able to begin small scale business to help support their families.
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Legit.ng gathered that Kurfi's financial support to the women which is worth more than N30 million will also see that the women's business are fully established. The beneficiaries were said to be drawn from all the wards and units which cut across the two local governments which he is representing at the National Assembly.
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Source: Legit.ng
