Nigeria's senate rejects gender equality bill

Nigerian lawmakers have rejected a gender equality bill that is expected to have eliminated all forms of prejudice against women.

On Tuesday, the senate voted against the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill on the grounds that the constitution has already covered the rights of everyone.

Senate President now puts the Bill to Vote and the Nays have. The Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill does not pass second reading.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) March 15, 2016

Despite the bill not proceeding to a second reading, several senators supported it stating that the gender and equality bill was long overdue.

Senator FatimatRasaki now rises and says the Bill on gender and equal opportunity is long overdue.

— Nigerian Senate (NGRSenate) March 15, 2016

Senator Ekweremadu says he totally supports the Bill and asks that all Senators should as well support.

— Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) March 15, 2016

When passed the bill is expected to provided a platform to fight gender discrimination in political and public life while also prohibiting violence against women.

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Biodun Olujimi proposed the law to speak on women’s freedom of movement, female economic empowerment and access to education for the girl child.