By Aremu Sosanya
The recent rejection of about five (5) gender equality bills that sought to alter the Constitution by the National Assembly continue to receive severe criticism, backlash and even protest from concerned and members of the society as well as civil society groups, with over 500 women groups from Southwest calling for the revisit of the bill
The group under the auspices of 'Womanifesto' a collective of more than 500 women organizations and
individuals working across Nigeria to attain gender justice and gender equality, while addressing a rally in Abeokuta called on national assembly to see the bill as part of the efforts to correct some illtreatment meted to women folks in the past.
The rally which took place at the popular Kuto Market in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital was addressed by Mrs. Peju Osoba, the state Coordinator of Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN), and Olubunmi Ashimolowo, the Ogun State Coordinator for 100 Women Lobby Group.
Womanifesto in thier submission said the overall situation of women and girls in Nigeria has not significantly improved since the advent of the current democratic dispensation in 1999.
"Therefore, a cohort of various women led and women focused organization have come together under womanifesto for the purpose of generating a collective agenda that becomes a collective cause around which a movement can emerge".
The rally which started early in the morning with over 200 Women trooping out in large to Kuto market in Ogun State Abeokuta. The women in attendance took time to educate the market women about their nights and the ongoing conversation on
#BreakTheConstitutionBias currently generating heats an the floor of the assembly.
Prof. Olubunmi and Osoba while addressing the rally, spoke on the areas in which gender equality focuses on, which include but not limited to decline citizenship to the foreign-born husband of a Nigerian woman, while Nigerian man's foreign-born wife gets automatic citizenship; Deny Nigerians in the diaspora the right to vote; Deny women the ability to take indigene ship of their husband's state after 5 years of being together.
Other areas also include, deny 35% appointed positions for women; Deny women 35% affirmative action in party administration and leadership; and Reject specific seats for women in the National Assembly.
During the rally, market women asked questions bothering on women's welfare and their
understanding were clarified.
The protesters went round the market educating the women saying that women exclusion should be a thing of the past emphasizing that national assembly lawmakers need to revisit the bills rejected on the floor of the Senate.
The protesters also appreciated countless contributions of Nigerian Women, including the past and current heros such as Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Okonjo lweala amongst others.
Nigerian women were therefore encouraged to educate everyone an the street on the significance of the day while also encouraged to continue to agitate for increased women in leadership.
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