Religion, Tradition Made Us Reject Gender Equality Bill – Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki has said that the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill was rejected by some Senators because they disagreed with it along the lines of religion and tradition.

The bill, which was debated on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, was thrown out by the lawmakers after it failed to pass the second reading.

Saraki gave the explanation via a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Gender issues, Fatima Kakuri.

It reads:

“Today, we discussed the Domestication of the Provisions of the United Nations Convention Eliminating all forms of discrimination against women under A Bill For An Act To Incorporate and Enforce Certain Provisions of The United Nations Convention On The Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women – the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, and Other Matters Connected Therewith.”

“As I said during the International Womens Day last week, I am of the opinion that there are substantial parts of the bill that are crucial to the development of our nation such as the Equal Access to Education, strengthening of the laws on Violence against Women, Ending Abduction of girls, Sustenance and Promotion of Entrepreneurship opportunities, Gender Mainstreaming and Gender equality, female participation in governance, among others.”

“Unfortunately, the bill suffered a slight set back because there were some parts of the Bill that some Senators disagreed with along the lines of religion and tradition.”

“The beauty of democracy is that it gives us the opportunity to consider different opinions and this bill can still be represented and reconsidered on the floor of the Senate I have it on good authority that Senator Biodun Olujimi who introduced this bill will reintroduce it after re-drafting it to address some of the reservations that were expressed on the floor of the Senate.”

Meanwhile, Nigerians have severely criticized the senators for refusing to pass the bill.