The President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila have shunned women who gathered at the National Assembly to protest against the rejection of some gender inclusive bills during the Constitution amendment vote.
The bills, including one which sought to create special seats for women in National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, were rejected when the lawmakers voted on Tuesday.
The protesting women had demanded to meet with the presiding officers of the National Assembly over the rejected bills.
The President, Women in Politics Forum Ebere Ifendu, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, described the situation as embarrassing and said members of the National Assembly who stood against the bills would be voted out.
“We are waiting for the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
“They must come here to tell us how they are going to redress the wrong of yesterday. We asked for special seats, they didn’t give us. We are taking the seats back from them,” she said.
Though four senators, including Robert Ajayi Borroffice representing Ondo North, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Niger North and Nora Dadu’ut, Jos South, had been delegated by the Senate to address the protesters, the women insisted that the Senate President and Speaker must address them personally.
The delegates agreed to relate the women’s message to the presiding officers of the National Assembly.
Minority Leader of the Senate Eyinnaya Abaribe had earlier addressed the women, saying he had supported the concrete bills but was out-voted.
Hundreds of women had gathered for a protest against the rejection of the gender equality bills by the National Assembly.
The protesters, who are members of different women groups, described the rejection as disappointing and backward.
Speaking to journalists, Country Director, Action Aid Ene Obi said the rejection of the bills amounted to cutting off over 50 per cent of the nation’s population from the decision-making process.
You are talking about leaving 50 per cent of your population behind. The fact that they could come out and vote massively against this law shows that we don’t have women in the House. There are very few women and these women cannot give us the votes. It is so disappointing,” she said.
Also expressing dissatisfaction, the National President of Business and Professional Women in Nigeria Yinka Ajibola, called for a total review of the bills.
We are not asking for favours, we are asking for our right. We are calling for a total review. We are totally dissatisfied. Incidentally, women are more than 50 per cent, so why should we be treated as second class citizens?” she asked.
She described it as a stand against women and noted that they would continue to make demands until they are met.
Director of Programs Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu said legislators who voted against the bills did not believe in development and gender equality. She called for a list of voters.
The protest led to the close of the National Assembly gate and there was no response from any member of the Senate house.
