NHRC urges lawmakers to pass pending gender bills

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on legislators to pass all the outstanding gender laws to strengthen women’s rights.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN said, there is the need for actionable measures to foster safe spaces for all women, as awareness creation and advocacy efforts are not sufficient to achieve the desired results.

He said that despite efforts by the Nigerian government and other actors to promote laws and polices that support inclusion and safeguard women’s rights in the past, there is still a wide gap between policy and implementation.

This, the NHRC boss, said makes Nigerian’s journey toward gender equality a mere fallacy, especially with the notable decrease in women’s political representation and governance with each election year, thereby shutting women out of positions where major decisions are taken concerning their welfare and well-being.

“The 35 percent affirmative action is gradually becoming a difficult task to achieve for Nigerian women and a mere mirage,” he said and, however, commended the Federal Government for some of the laudable initiatives to alleviate poverty amongst women.

He called for proactive steps to ensure the protection of women’s rights, adding that strong policy advocacy is needed to ensure that women’s voices are amplified and their rights protected.

“Together, let us strive for a future where every woman in Nigeria, every girl, mother and leader can thrive. We must dismantle the barriers that hinder progress through our renewed commitment to uplift silenced voices, especially of women,” he said.

In her goodwill message, Mrs Nnenna Emedolibe, who represented the National Council for Women Society, made a case for economic empowerment for women.

Regina Edzuwah, who spoke on behalf of Women in Mining in Nigeria, said women can transform opportunities into realities.

She said, the theme of this year’s celebration, “For all women: Rights, equality, empowerment”, is a call for action for everyone in a position of authority, adding that, “together we move to better the life of women through economic empowerment.”

She commended the leadership of the NHRC for facilitating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the protection of women in the mining industry.

Highlights of the event include awards to distinguished women who have contributed to the development of women in the country.