The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, says Nigerian lawmakers are insensitive to the plight of Nigerian women for rejecting a Bill that sought extra legislative seats for women, and Affirmative Action for Women in Political Parties’ Administration.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the National Assembly had rejected a Bill that sought to create special seats for women in the national and state assemblies.
The lawmakers also voted against a Bill which seeks provision for affirmative action for women in political parties’ administration.
The bills failed to garner the required number of votes to scale through during the clause-by-clause consideration at the ongoing constitution amendment at both the legislative chambers on Tuesday.
Briefing State House correspondents Wednesday after this week’s Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja, Mrs Tallen lamented that the action of the male-dominated parliament was most unfortunate and a big show of shame.
The minister threatened to mobilise Nigerian women to strategise and make a point during the 2023 election.
She said: “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.’’
“I urge all Nigerians to help us pray for the men that killed this bill yesterday in the National Assembly,” she said.
