The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the rejection of gender-focused bills seeking to improve the participation of women in governance by the National Assembly (NASS).
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at a press briefing to mark the celebration of 2022 International day for Women, PDP’s Woman Leader, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe, said the decision of the 9th Assembly was a clear discrimination against women.
She called on the National Assembly to re-present the said Bills for positive reconsideration, noting that “this will not be a sign of weakness. It will rather be that of strength.
“The idiosyncrasies against women at the National Assembly should be jettisoned. The rise of women does not in any way, make men fall.
“The National Assembly should adopt the 35% Affirmative Action which is the most acceptable global standard on Gender inclusion,” adding that there was no democracy without gender inclusiveness.
Affah-Attoe explained that the socio-cultural, economic and political achievements of women in the world and in Nigeria in particular, are enormous.
“Women are symbols of peace, progress, stability and unity. In Africa, we have seen Her Excellency, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as former Liberian President. You also know that the current President of Tanzania is Her Excellency, Samia Suluhu Hassan.