By: Valentine Adese (JP),
Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), a Non-Governmental, Non-Profit making and Charitable Organization has taken Women Rights advocacy to the Traditional Ruler of Gyel Community, the Local Government Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Gideon Davou Dandereng and to the women in Gyel market.
WRAPA led by Madam Ruth Abwo, during the advocacy visit to the Gwomrwei, Da. Nga Dangyang in his Palace, with the LG Chairman in attendance, expressed the sadness of women, over the rejection of Gender Bills by the Nigerian National Assembly.
Abwo said, “It is regrettable that, the proposed Gender Bills in the 5th Constitution Alteration Bills that were rejected are Bills targeted at addressing the current gender imbalance across the Legislative Arm of Governments across the country”.
According to her, the rejection of the Bills has further reduced women representation in political office and has made their vote during elections as irrelevant.
At the Market place in Gyel, while rallied around by women and flanked by members of WRAPA, Madam Ruth Abwo, in a frank voice told the women that, despite what has happened in the National Assembly, that would not stop them from celebrating the Women’s Day.
She said, “It is our day and we have to celebrate!”
She however, explained to the women that, “The men of the 9th Assembly, have reinforced the discrimination and political bias against women as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution by:
- Denying citizenship to a foreign born husband of a Nigerian woman, while it allows Nigerian men’s foreign born wives to be awarded automatic citizenship.
- Denying Nigerian women indignity through marriage.
- Denying 35% appointed positions for women and settling for 20%.
- Denying women affirmative action in party administration and leadership. And
- Denying specific seats for women in the National assembly.
She called on the women to continue to push and press for the representation of these Bills as a matter of urgency and ensure their passage.
Ruth, who spoke in Hausa adding that, “WRAPA’s main goal is to advance and protect the rights of women in Nigeria as provided by national laws and policies, regional and international treaties and agreements, through an integrated approach that, entrenches respect for the human dignity of the woman, as well as, her inclusion in decisions that affects her life, and the development of her community”.
It is of note that, Nigerian women have already commenced their protest on the rejection of the Bills, by staying at gates of the National Assembly and to last throughout the week.
You would recall that, The International Women’s Day (IWD), is a global day that marks a call to action for accelerated gender parity.
It is a time also, when the world comes together to celebrate or rally for women’s equality, women’s achievements, raise awareness about women’s equality, lobby for accelerated gender parity and raise female focus charity.
The 2022 theme of the International Women’s Day (IWD) is: Breaking the Bias with the hashtag, #BreakingTheBias.
It is a theme centered on Gender Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.
In their reactions, the Chairman of Jos South LGA and the Market women, have shown and expressed support to put in pressure for the representation of the Bills, while the women have promised tto punish those involved in their rejection at the polls.
SEE OTHER PICTURES OF THE EVENTS BELOW:-
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