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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
For the lawmakers at the National Assembly that voted against the women’s bills on Tuesday, Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen has said the 2023 general elections will prove if a critical mass that forms majority of voters are important or not.
This is even as she has described the approval of the national gender policy by the Federal Executive Council, as a relief.
The lawmakers voted against all the five bills that sought to promote more opportunities for women in political parties, governance and the society at large.
The lawmakers denied citizenship to a foreign-born husband of a Nigerian woman. (While it allows Nigerian men’s foreign-born wives to be awarded automatic citizenship); they also denied Nigerian women indigeneity through marriage; also 35 per cent appointed positions for women and settling for 20 per cent was also denied; also shut down was the bill providing for affirmative action for women in political parties’ administration. The lawmakers also voted against the bill to create special seats for women in the national and state assemblies.
Tallen while urging Nigerians to pray for those who rejected the Bills, described their action as shameless.
Tallen who addressed State House Correspondents at the end of the Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, disclosed that Nigerian women where already strategizing on the next line of action which will remain under wraps until the 2023 election.
“I urge all Nigerians to help us pray for the men that killed this bill yesterday in the National Assembly,” she said.
The Minister said the decision to turn down the proposed legislations was most unfortunate, and a big show of shame, and smacks of insensitivity by the male dominated parliament, even as she expressed optimism that there will be light at the end of the tunnel eventually.
“It clearly shows that the men that were against the bill don’t have any respect for women, it’s clear. But I am not generalizing, not all the men in the National Assembly. We have the figures. 72 men in the House of representative voted in support of the bill. So, I’m not generalizing. We are saying that, for those that don’t believe in it, we will continue to intensify advocacy for them to believe in gender equality, and the role that women can play when they are on the decision table to make Nigeria better.
“I want to assure you, that all hope is not lost. I have reassured Nigerian women that we should not be daunted, we should remain resilient. And we have already put in place strategies. Last night we all met the key civil society organizations and other women activists.
“We are strategizing with the female members in both houses of national assembly. And I want to assure you, that Nigeria women will not give up, we’ll keep pushing until we achieve the affirmative action.
“Other strategies have also been put in place, which I will not disclose now. But we are putting strategies towards the 2023 elections. And we know what to do by the grace of God.”
The Minister said contrary to the insinuations that enough advocacy was not done by the women to ensure the Bills sail through in the Parliament, enough had been done.
Tallen said, “there was. A lot of advocacy has been put in place, but they were simply bent on doing what they wanted to do. However, we are not giving up, we will continue to intensify, advocacy right to the local government level up to the ward level. And the outcome of our advocacy now will show by the time we go into the next election, that is very much around the corner.
“What happened is unfortunately, on the first day of March being the month to acknowledge and celebrate woman. However, what happened today (Wednesday) in council is a big relief, and is a reassurance of President Muhammedu Buhari’s administration, that he believes in women, and that this administration will continue to support all issues that will support women towards national development.
“My next prayer is that the National Assembly should support the executive because the executive, the legislature and the judiciary must work in harmony in order to ensure that Mr. President succeed.”
Asked if one of the strategies was to ensure men are not voted for in 2023, she said “We believe in democracy, we believe that everyone has the right to test his popularity by contesting. But again, you will agree with me that women and youths are the greatest voters. And if you negate this huge number of the population of the country that are always consistent to turn in and vote come rain come sunshine, then, something will surely happened that would change the narrative, this coming election by the grace of God.”
Speaking more on the national gender policy approved by Council, she said: “This memo is a revised national agenda policy 2021 – 2026. It represents a set of minimum standards expected of Nigerian government to meet its mandate for gender equality, good governance, accountability and being socially responsive to the needs of its vulnerable group.
“Equity remains the foundation of the core principles of agenda 2030 which says ‘Leave no one behind’. I want to put on record that Mr. President has done so much to support women through numerous pro-woman projects. This memo today that has been approved by council has gone again to clearly state the fact that Mr. President is committed to make a difference as far as women issues are concerned.
“This has also come at the right time. I’m sure you’re all aware that the whole month of March is set aside by the international community to United Nations to celebrate activities that concern women and women’s contribution towards national development.
“I seize this opportunity to thank Mr. President on behalf of all Nigerian women for this gift of the approval of this memo at this time as we celebrate the International Women’s Day.”
