[The Legislative Blog]: The National Assembly finally gives the #GEO bill a chance

It’s almost victory for the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill at the Upper Chamber as the bill that had been thrown out by the senators earlier this year has now passed valiantly through the second reading.

Senator Biodun Olujimi representing Ekiti South was the sponsor of the bill then and still is now. In her presentation yesterday, Sen. Olujimi stated that the bill will ensure the elimination of discrimination against women and gender-based disparities.

When the bill was first presented in March this year, it was rejected by Norther senators who described it as anti-Islam. A coalition of civil society groups that call themselves Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH) also rejected it at the time, pointing out that it was contrary to the provisions of the 1999 constitution. As a way of preventing this roadblock, Senator Olujimi made it clear that the bill has been “re-engineered to suit everyone”. She got support from 20 other senators who co-sponsored the bill.

Speaking in support, Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos-Central, said that the bill will be beneficial for generations to come. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in his own contribution warned that the Senate will have to work on the bill critically to avoid conflict but Senator Adeyeye countered him saying there was no need to worry about a conflict.

The #GEO bill has now been referred to the Judiciary Committee. Here are the major goals it aims to achieve.

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