Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Dr Mudashiru Obasa; The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies has called for gender-responsive legislation through the establishment of Women Caucus in The National Assembly.
They made the call at a 2-Day Workshop organised by The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, National Assembly in collaboration with the United Nations Women, with the theme: Advancing Gender responsive Legislation through the Establishment of Women Caucus in The National Assembly, yesterday in Lagos.
Dr Sanwo-Olu said the time has come when women’s voice needs to be heard and positioned in the legislative house.
According to her, the workshop will foster solidarity and cooperation among female parliamentarians.
She noted that the issue of gender disparity is all that needed attention, adding that they should concentrate on equality, development, and peace.
The Governor’s Wife explained that throughout history, women have been at the forefront of advancing development.
She added that there are a lot of teething problems they will go through; Hence, they should leverage their influence as mothers.
“Your theme is very apt. We have come to the point where women’s voice needs to be heard.
“I acknowledged President Tinubu for encouraging Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“We need to position the female gender in the legislative house as this would foster solidarity and cooperation of female parliamentarians.
“The issue of gender disparity is all that needed the attention. We should concentrate on equality, development, and peace.
“Throughout history, women have been at the forefront of advancing development.
“There is a lot of teething problems we will go through. They should leverage on their influence as mothers.” She said.
Also Speaking, Obasa said the proposed caucus will further empower women parliamentarians.
He, therefore, expressed his wishes that the caucus be successfully established at the National Assembly.
“This will further empower women parliamentarians.
“It is my wish that the caucus is successfully established at the National Assembly.” He said.
Member of the House of Representatives, Kafilat Ogbara advocated the need to support women parliamentarians and galvanize the eradication of single-gender lists.
Former Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, Abiodun Olujimi called for the total commitment to gender advancement.
Abiodun lamented that there is frequent removal of women from the parliament.
She, however, noted that the solution is to continue talking about it, assuring that President Bola Tinubu is a women’s advocate.
“We should be committed to this gender advancement.
“There is frequent removal of women from the parliament.
“I believe the way to go is talking. The current president is a champion for women.” She said.
Speaking also, The Director-General of the Institute, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman emphasized the need to adopt the right strategies such as establishing a formal broad-based women’s caucus across party lines to effectively achieve this objective.
Professor Abubakar assured that the institute is strategically positioned to ensure that women secure wider participation in governance by guiding policymakers to be able to make informed and evidence-based policies to enhance gender participation in governance in Nigeria.
“There is the need to adopt the right strategies such as establishing a formal broad-based women caucus across party lines to effectively achieve this objective.
“I want to assure you that the institute is strategically positioned in ensuring that women secure wider participation in governance by guiding policymakers to be able to make informed and evident-based policies to enhance gender participation in governance in Nigeria,” he said.
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