Women who gathered at the National Assembly to protest the rejection of various gender-inclusive bills during the Constitution amendment vote were ahunned by the President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
When lawmakers voted on Tuesday, the bills were defeated, including one that attempted to create special seats for women in the National Assembly and state legislatures.
The protesting women had demanded a meeting with the National Assembly’s presiding officers to discuss the rejected bills.
On behalf of the demonstrators, Ebere Ifendu, President of the Women in Politics Forum, described the situation as embarrassing and stated that members of the National Assembly who opposed the bills will be voted out.
“We’re waiting for the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, and Deputy Speaker to come here and tell us how they’re going to make up for yesterday’s wrongdoing.” We requested and were denied special seating. “We’re reclaiming their seats,” she explained.
The Senate had designated four senators to address the demonstrators, including Robert Ajayi Borroffice of Ondo North, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi of Niger North, and Nora Dadu’ut of Jos South, but the women insisted that the Senate not do so that they must be addressed directly by the President and Speaker.
The delegates agreed to relay the women’s message to the National Assembly’s presiding authorities.
Eyinnaya Abaribe, the Senate Minority Leader, had earlier addressed the women, stating he had voted in favor of the concrete bills but had been defeated.
Hundreds of women had assembled in protest of the National Assembly’s rejection of gender equality proposals.
The refusal was seen as disappointing and backward by the protesters, who were members of several women’s organisations.
Ene Obi, Country Director of Action Aid, told journalists that the legislation’ rejection amounted to excluding more than half of the country’s population from the decision-making process.
You’re talking about up to half of your population being left behind. The fact that they could come out and vote en masse against the measure demonstrates that there are no women in the House of Representatives. There are very few women, and those that do exist are unable to cast votes for us. “It’s very disappointing,” she expressed her disappointment.
Yinka Ajibola, the National President of Business and Professional Women in Nigeria, also expressed discontent with the laws and urged for a comprehensive examination.
We are not requesting favors; rather, we are requesting the exercise of our legal rights. We’re advocating for a complete overhaul. We are completely unsatisfied with the situation. Women make up more than half of the population, so why should we be treated as second-class citizens?” she enquired.
She called it a pro-women stance and stated that they would continue to make demands until they were met.
Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Yiaga Africa’s Programs, stated that legislators who voted against the bills did not believe in development or women equality. She demanded a voter registration list.
The National Assembly gate was closed as a result of the protest.
