Nigerian women protesters, this morning, stormed the National Assembly (NASS) to reject the outcome of voting on constitutional amendment that would have allowed adequate women representation in the legislature.
Four bills seeking to promote the interest of women were rejected by members of parliament on Tuesday during the electronic voting process.
The rejected bills are special seats for women in the legislature, reserve quota for women on appointments, citizenship and 35 percent party leadership.
On Wednesday, the women groups across the country blocked the Federal Secretariat axis entrance of the National Assembly to protest against the rejection of the bills.
The protesters, who were not allowed into the legislative complex by security operatives, called on the lawmakers to reconsider the rejected gender bills.
The women remained defiant and insisted on not to leaving the National Assembly gate until the leadership of the legislature addresses them.
According to the protesters, the national leadership must reveal how each lawmaker voted on the bills.
Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, civil rights activist, had said that women groups all over the nation would storm the national assembly in protest of the lawmakers’ actions.
Flyers were shared to various women groups asking them to converge on the NASS premises to drive him their grievances.
Indeed, the women came out in their numbers in solidarity with their quest.
Speaking during a virtual media briefing on Tueday, Akiyode-Afolabi said Nigeria women are disappointed by the actions of the national assembly.
She said: “The proposed gender bills in the constitution alteration bills that were all rejected are bills targeted at addressing the current gender imbalance across the legislative arm of governments across the country, whilst reducing the under-representation of women in political office.
The men of the ninth national assembly, by their actions, have taken us backwards. Their actions undermine the importance and relevance of women’s contribution to the governance of Nigeria, including the key role women play to bring victory to political parties in elections at all levels across the country.
“Nigerian women, therefore, demand that all gender bills be reconsidered. We call on the national assembly to re-present these bills as a matter of urgency and ensure that they are passed.”
Chioma Agwuegbo@ChiomaChuka· Arising from an emergency press conference last night, women are headed to @nassnigeria today to demand a reversal of the rejectedgenderbills yesterday. We can’t continue negotiating our identity as full citizens of Nigeria. #BreakTheConstitutionBias#NigerianWomenOccupyNASS
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