Nigerian women 'attack' Senate Leader for encouraging polygamy

dimeji akinloye

March 11, 2016 7:05 PM

In its reaction, the group said the senator's statement is demeaning to Nigerian women.

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The International Federation‎ of Women Lawyers have condemned Senate Leader,

Ndume made the remark on Tuesday, March 8, while contributing to a debate on a motion to mark the International Women’s Day.

“I urge men to marry more than one wife. The first care of a woman is marriage,” Ndume had said.

In its reaction, the group said the senator's statement is demeaning to Nigerian women and portrays them as "sex objects."

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“May we remind the Senator that Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and his utterances negate its provisions,” the group said in the statement signed by Inime Aguma, Country Vice President, FIDA, Nigeria.

“Article 16 of that Convention says that ‘State parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all matters relating to marriage and family relations and the General Recommendation in Article 21 states that:

“Polygamous marriage contravenes a woman’s right to equality with men, and can have such serious emotional and financial consequences for her and her dependents that such marriage ought to be discouraged and prohibited.”

It stressed that the Holy Bible which was referred to in his comments does not recognize polygamy “as the wording of Mathew 19:4-6 refers to the union of one man and woman to the exclusion of any other being”.

The group also urged the senate leader and other colleagues to pledge “gender parity” and not underplay the role of women in the society.

dimeji akinloye