The First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, has urged Nigerian female parliamentarians to sponsor bills that will?address specific issues that concern women.
Speaking at a dinner in honour of?female parliamentarians on Tuesday in Abuja, she urged them to always explore ways of?enhancing?the living conditions of Nigerian women through effective legislations.
“There is need to?formulate laws that will specifically address?issues such as the?35 per cent affirmative action for women,? female genital mutilation and?widowhood rights as well as?maternal and child mortality.
“When there are bills on such issues,?they go through legislative processes without any hindrance and?impact positively on the people.''
Jonathan?noted with delight that?some states had legislations that “adequately addressed violence against women in compliance with global and regional conventions''.
“Notable among them are Inhuman Treatment of Widows (Prohibition) Law, 2004 of Edo State, Anambra State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission Law, 2007, Abolition of Female Circumcision Law No 2 of 2011, Rivers State and the Lagos State Street Hawking Prohibition Law, 2008.
“The?statistics are?a pointer to the fact that we need to make laws that address specific issues of women at the federal level.?Nigeria has an obligation to meet the tenets of all international treaties, conventions and?protocols which?we are signatory to.
“We must begin to give our women their due place in the society so that our nation can move forward. As female legislators, you have critical roles to play in giving legal cover to our collective desires.''
Responding on behalf of other female parliamentarians, Hajia Mulikat Adeola, the?Majority Leader, House of Representatives, promised that?the Women Affairs Committee of the House would be more proactive in addressing all the relevant issues that concerned women through legislative processes.
“We promise to give Nigerian women the best and?raise bills that will uplift their?status. We will work hard to justify the confidence reposed in us.''
Sen. Aisha Alhassan (PDP Taraba) also thanked?the first lady?for the support she gave to all female aspirants during the elections.
“ We recognise your efforts and will be happy to work with you to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerian women.''
Mrs Joy Emodi, the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, urged?the female parliamentarians to?support the government's?transformation agenda.
She advised them to work as a team?and seek the cooperation of their male counterparts to facilitate the successful passage of their bills.
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