The Civil Society Organisation for Conflict Resolution in Nigeria (CS-CRIN) has condemned the Senate and House of Representatives’ rejection of five bills seeking affirmative action and inclusion of women in politics.
At a briefing in Kano State North-west Nigeria, the Executive Director/National Coordinator of CS-CRIN, Mr. Adeniyi Aremu said ”the act of the National Assembly is regarded as “Legislative Gender Based Violence (LGBV)” against women,” urging the House to earnestly consider representing the bill.
Aremu said; “The bill to support women in position in Nigeria has been murdered. The National Assembly refutation of the Constitution Alteration bills for the five key proposed areas for women inclusion in Nigeria Constitution is highly condemned.”
The alteration areas which are; ‘Reserved quota for women in political positions, additional Seats for women in the Federal and State Legislatures, Citizenship by registration for non-Nigerian men married to Nigerian women, Indigeneship rights for married women, 35% Affirmative Action for women in political party administration in the bill was intended to improve women’s rights, women participation in politics and political representation.’
The CS-CRIN therefore, condemn in the strongest terms the Senate and House of Representatives refutation of the five key proposed areas for women inclusion in Nigeria Constitution.
Aremu said; ”We termed this rejection as “Legislative Gender Based Violence (LGBV)” against the women and therefore, call for the viral use of “#NOTOLGBV” in Nigeria.’
“We mourn the killing of this Bill at the National Assembly and call the Members of the National Assembly to unequivocally call for the Re-presentation of the bill on the floor of both Houses as a measure to resurrect the bill, remediate their actions and mitigate perpetual conflicts with women folks in Nigeria.”
According to him, the CS-CRIN will persistently pursue the course to ensure that the bill is re-presented, passed by National Assembly and assented to, for it to become an Act.
He said CS-CRIN, through advocacy and Community participation would continue to enhance Conflict Resolution and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria as core parts of it’s mandates.
Aremu explained that ”in the last three months a lot has been achieved including: Community Sensitisation on Curbing Extra-Judicial and Human Killings, Hate Speech, Political and Urban Violence in Kano State, where causes were identified and way forward chatted, especially as the 2023 General election approaches.
”Over 6,000 cases of Gender violence were also reported from Sumaila local Government Area of Kano State in the same period. Distress calls received from 10 LGAs which includes Fage, Nasarawa, Kano Municipal, Rogo, Ungogo,and Dala among others.
“We involved Security Agencies; Nigerian Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, ANTI-DABA POLICE SQUAD Kano, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs, Ministry of Justice, CSOs, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria Kano Chapter, Religious and Traditional Leaders and Community Members.
Aremu stressed that over 300 cases of herder/farmer clashes were resolved in the period under review.
“We waded in and reconciled them and they are living in a peaceful atmosphere now,” he said.
The Executive Director said the organisation had also empowered over 50 Women, just as it plans for a National Peace summit in the ancient city of Kano, where religious leaders and other Stakeholders would be engaged on peace and nation building.
The National Assembly had on March 1st, 2022, voted against five bills seeking affirmative action and inclusion of women in politics and other spheres of the society.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
