Why 10th N/Assembly should reintroduce, pass gender bills – Edo dep. speaker

The deputy speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Maria Oligbi-Edeko, has called for the reintroduction and passage of the five gender bills thrown away by the 9th National Assembly.

Speaking at the weekend on the occasion of International Women’s Day in Benin,  Oligbi-Edeko said the discarded bills seek to increase women representation in party politics and governance and should be reintroduced by the 10th National Assembly.

Oligbi-Edeko who is representing Esan North-East constituency 11 said, “The five gender bills are a bill to provide special seats for women at the National Assembly and affirmative action for women in political party administration.

“Others are 35 per cent of executive positions, the bill seeking to grant citizenship to foreign-born husbands of a Nigerian woman and a bill on married women indigenship.”

She said  the number of women in leadership, elective and appointive positions in the country was disheartening despite their population and knowledge, hence the need for the reintroduction and passage of the bills. 

“We are coming back with the five gender bills. We appeal for support from the presidency, the wife of the president, governors’ wives and the forum of parliamentarians,” she said. 

She explained that the world will be a better place if both men and women join hands together to manage the country.