Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. (Mrs.) Maria Oligbi-Edeko, on Sunday advocated the reintroduction and passage of the five gender bills thrown out by the ninth National Assembly.
Oligbi-Edeko made the call in a congratulatory message to commemorate the 2024 International Women’s Day in Benin City.
The five gender bills include: a bill to provide special seats for women at the National Assembly and affirmative action for women in political party administration.
Others are 35 percent of executive positions, the bill seeking to grant citizenship to foreign-born husbands of a Nigerian woman, and a bill on married women indigenship.
She noted that the bills seek to increase women representation in party politics and in governance, saying that the number of women in leadership, elective and appointive positions in the country was disheartening despite their population and knowledge.
Oligbi-Edeko is representing the industrious people of Esan North-East Constituency 11 on the floor of the Edo State House of Assembly.
The International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8.
It is a global day for acknowledging the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and calling on critical stakeholders to accelerate the development of women to close the gender gap.
Speaking further, Oligbi-Edeko appealed to government, international organisations, religious and traditional leaders, political parties and the media to inspire inclusion of women in governance by supporting gender inclusive laws.
“We are coming back with the five gender bills; we appeal for support from the presidency, wife of the president, governors’ wives and forum of Parliamentarians.
“The International Women’s Day is a special day to celebrate women globally. I therefore join the world to celebrate women in Esan North-East Local Government Area, Edo State and the entire Nation.
“While I encourage all women to promote peace, I equally enjoin professional women to push for increased and meaningful participation in politics so that they can make enduring impacts,” she said.
According to her, the world will be a better place if both men and women join hands together to manage our country.
