Group calls on NASS to reconsider gender rights bill

Concerned Women Voices, a coalition of women’s rights organization made up of professionals and individuals yesterday staged a protest and awareness walk in Lagos against the recently thrown-out Gender Equality Bill by the National Assembly.

The protestants took off from the Lagos Television station, Alausa causing slow vehicular movement, displaying placards with various inscriptions and singing solidarity songs.

This is coming as the Senate President Bukola Saraki has in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Gender and Equality, Ms. Fatima Kakuri, yesterday in Abujaadvised Nigerian women to re-introduce the bill.

The bill seeking gender equality, sponsored by the Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, Biodun Olujinmi, was rejected by the Senate over alleged constitutional violations.

Saraki therefore said that although the bill had suffered setback, it could still be amended and re-introduced.

At Allen Avenue roundabout where the protest climaxed, they formed a gathering shouting their requests passionately to motorists and passers-by.

Speaking with The Guardian, Nollywood artiste, Rita Dominic who was part of the group said there is the need to lend voices to the cause of the gender rights equality bill because of its importance for every human being, particularly for woman, the girl child as well as for men.