Nigeria’s Women Affairs Minister Commends NASS on Reintroduction of Gender- Focused Bills
Oru Leonard
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has applauded the National Assembly for reintroducing key gender-sensitive bills for reconsideration. She described this move as a significant step toward advancing gender equality and empowering women across the nation.
The Minister made this statement while leading a Solidarity Walk to the National Assembly, accompanied by women’s groups from various sectors, as part of activities marking the 2024 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Hajiya Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that the National Assembly’s decision to reconsider these bills reflects its commitment to women’s empowerment. She noted that the passage of these bills would enhance women’s participation in decision-making processes and significantly contribute to reducing the high prevalence of GBV in the country.
In her remarks, the Minister called for a collective approach to eradicating all forms of violence through robust policies and legal reforms. She emphasized, “Everybody has a role to play, from child upbringing to policymaking, implementation, and community service. We must all come together to protect our citizens.”
Responding to the Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed the commitment of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial arms of government to ending GBV in Nigeria. He assured that the House would prioritize more bills and motions aimed at promoting women’s rights and socio-economic empowerment, recognizing the critical role of women in national development.
In her remarks, the Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Development Centre, Dr. Asabe Bashir, expressed optimism about the partnership between the Ministry and the National Assembly. She stated that this collaboration would create an enabling environment to uplift the lives of Nigerian women and girls, ensuring their full participation in the country’s development agenda.
(FMWA Press)
