Why lawmakers could not pass equal rights bill

The Bill, sponsored by Sen. Biodun Olujimi (APC-Ekiti), was inspired by the controversial abduction and forceful marriage of Ese Oruru and abuse of women in the country.

Olujimi titled it ‘A Bill for an Act to Incorporate and enforce certain provisions of the United Nations Convention of all forms of discrimination against women.’Section 5 of the Bill, states “every person, body, institution, community, authority or private enterprise whether public organ or body, public institution, individuals, communities or authority and private enterprise in Nigeria shall all appropriate measures, including regulatory policy, fiscal and administrative measures, to ensure the full development and advancement of all persons, especially young women and girl children, for the purpose of guaranteeing to them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of non-discrimination and equality of all persons.”

But when the motion was raised for deliberation on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, Senators throw the bill out and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki had no option than to state the position of the majority voices with nay.

Pulse gathered that many of the male senators, especially from the Northern part of the country don’t want the bill passed because of some cultural and religious reasons.

"This Bill has been coming in and out of the Senate, and the men have been shooting it down. Most men, especially from a particular part of the country, have continued to clash with the provisions of the Bill. They don't want gender parity, and that is why they have been shooting it down."

"This is not the first time; they have shot it down before. We want gender parity, even though many men do not want this Bill to pass because it will mean less control of their women" the female senator said at the end of the plenary.

Senators who spoke against the bill seeking to give women some level of parity include Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba-PDP) and Adamu Aliero (APC-Kebbi) Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn Na'Allah (Kebbi-APC).