There has being alot of outcry in the wake of the incident that transpired on the floor of the senate on 15th March 2016, where senators threw out a bill seeking to legally guarantee women equal rights with men. The bill was presented by Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP, Ekiti South) and the senate has since received a lot of vituperations from concerned women and also men who consider the senate’s position on the gender equality bill to be unprogressive.
In light of this, ACTS generation (an NGO) in partnership with media Concern Initiative mobilized women and men in Lagos to participate in a protest and awareness walk earlier today 23rd march 2016.
Mostly dressed in black, participants started arriving at the compound of the LTV 8, Agidingbi, Ikeja as earlier as 7.30am to design card boards with appropriate messaging to sensitize citizens about the gender equality bill and why it is of the essence for Nation building.
Soon after, the protest and awareness walk commenced from LTV 8 compound all the way to Opebi allen roundabout where participants engaged the general public on the need to lend their voice to the re-presentation of the gender equality bill and ensure that it is given speedy passage.
Speaking to some of the participant, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode who was one of the early birds at start-up point informed that she considered the protest to be a ‘necessary noise’ to sensitize the public on the imperative to ensure that the Gender equality bill is passed. She said it was unfortunate that some organizations still require that female staffs take permission to get pregnant while men are not required to seeks for such permission to get married, likewise other culturally practices that inhibit women from owing properties despite having earned the means to do so. In the same vain, abovewhispers.com caught up with award winning actress, Rita Dominic who was among the participants in the protest and awareness walk on her views regarding the gender equality bill. According to her, she considers gender equality to be a human rights, she believes every man and woman should have equal opportunity in education, employment and other areas that provide a path to greatness. She also expressed concern as regards the protection of the rights of girls especially those that are vulnerable to exploitation.
Photo: Funmi Ajala
Photo: Funmi Ajala
Some men also put up a show in solidarity and speaking with Mr. Dayo Balogun, a business man and a politician based in Lagos, he expressed his absolute support for gender equality as the only way the nation can move forward. In his opinion, women should not only be given a voice but they should be allowed to take up more leadership positions in the country. He sees no reason why a women should not aspire to become governors and presidents and he believes the government must stand firm against rape and other violence against women.
Mrs. Laila St. Mathew Daniel of ACTS generation who facilitated the campaign also spoke on the need for citizens to engage the government to ensure that the equal opportunity is passed when it is represented. In her views, all customary laws support fairness and justice and the gender equality bill is clearly a human right issue. She also emphasized the need to protect the rights of young girls who will eventually grow to become women. In her words ‘if the rights of girls, such as rights to educations and healthcare, this makes them disadvantaged and hinders their potentials’.
One Response
Your protest against the Senate’s rejection of Gender Equality bill is just, and about time. The journey to success is not going to be easy, considering our cultural and religious bias that lean on male domination, but victory is sure. With mass awareness and pressure, our legislators will cave.