The Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC) and Women’s Voice Leadership Nigeria Project partners have called for a gender inclusive constitution that would better the lots of the womenfolk in the country.
The call for such inclusive constitution was part of the demands during a Senate public hearing on amendment to the 1999 constitution taking place simultaneously across the six geo-political of the country.
Both GLOHWOC and WVL partners were actively represented and participated in the 2-day Senate public hearing on behalf Nigeria Women held at Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre Minna, Niger State, recently.
The holding of the Senate Public Hearing on the amendment to the 1999 constitution was sequel to the submission of memos by individuals and groups on the issue to the National Assembly.
The NASS had after the submission of memos set for a public hearing across the geo-political zones of the federation on May 26 and 27.
The NASS had also adopted a new strategy where the Public Hearing will happen simultaneously across different locations of the country.
Mrs Christy Abayomi-Oluwole during her presentation at Hon. Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre Minna, Niger State, said the Public Hearing would provide opportunity for citizen’s engagement to the process and would ensure that all voices are captured.
According to her, this is a strategic opportunity to ensure that the aspirations of women’s groups of a non-discriminatory constitution are birthed.
The Human Rights Activist said It was imperative that women’s groups are mobilized to participate and ensure that all discriminatory issues are removed by presenting positions to the amendment.
The GLOHWOC boss noted that to achieve equal representation and a more inclusive constitution, it was important that women are not excluded or sidelined and are involved at every step and milestone towards the review of the constitution for affirmative action.
Abayomi-Oluwole said it was based on the aforementioned factors that GLOWHOC sought strategic opportunity fund from AAN through the WVL project.
She said the foundation had mobilised the participation of at least 10 women and their groups at each geo-political zone, partnering with like-minded organizations such as 100 Women Lobby Group, Women in Politics Forum and Education as a Vaccine and other actors for this.
“This is in line with the organisations mission of ensuring that women and girls enjoy their rights while contributing to the achievement of gender equality and aligns with the overall objective of WVL-Nigeria Project,” she said.
Abayomi-Oluwole listed other demands to be effected in the amendment as ensuring gender-neutral and sensitive language in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The rests are; ensure equitable women representation in government, through at least 35% women representation in appointive offices at the Federal and State levels.
Include Gender as a benchmark for Federal Character as well as create additional seats for women in the Federal and State Legislative Houses.
In the memos presented by Women’s Voice Leadership Nigeria Project partners they appreciated the Chairman, Deputy Senate President, Senator Omo-Agege and the rest of the committee for their leadership and commitment by ensuring gender equity is part of the list.
They also observed and recommended that the review of the Constitution must eliminate gender-based discrimination for human development and economic growth.
They maintained the rights of women and girls must be explicitly recognized and guaranteed in the Nigerian Constitution.
They affirmed that the reviewed Constitution can create an enabling legal environment and reinforce norms that promote gender equity.
It said the review process provides an important opportunity for the legislature to develop a comprehensive legal framework that will rectify the historical and present imbalances that privilege men over women and boys over girls in Nigeria.
The memos proposed that the Constitution be amended to make the fundamental right to education enforceable by creating a new section 39 to include the right to free and compulsory primary, junior and senior secondary education for every Nigerian child.
It observed that an important aspect of addressing gender-based discrimination and guarantee gender equity is the justiciability of Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution, “Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy”.
It, therefore, request that the committee reviews this aspect and promote equity through the ensuring justiciability for critical sections of Constitution for a more equitable and just society.
The memos said all Nigerians deserve a legal framework for women and men, girls and boys, to live full lives free of gender-based discrimination.
GLOHWOC as well WVL partners appreciated the Senate for the opportunity to make recommendations for strengthening the Constitution.
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