On the occasion of Nigeria’s 2024 Democracy Day celebration, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) has called for renewed efforts to safeguard and promote women’s rights.
In a press statement, WARDC Acting Executive Director, Emmanuella Azu, emphasized the challenges women in Nigeria still face, including gender-based violence, discrimination, and limited access to education and economic opportunities.
“As we reflect on the progress made since the return to democracy in 1999, WARDC emphasizes the need for continued protection and promotion of women’s rights,” Azu stated.
“We urge the federal government as well as state governments to prioritize the implementation of policies and programs that address these issues and ensure the full participation of women in all aspects of society,” she added.
One key area of focus highlighted by WARDC is the need for the 10th National Assembly to revisit and pass the five gender bills that were rejected by the previous assembly. These bills aim to provide legal protection for women and address issues of stigmatization, financial barriers, political representation, and citizenship rights.
The proposed legislation includes provisions for special seats for women in the National Assembly, a 35% affirmative action for women in political party administration, the expansion of citizenship by registration to allow women to confer citizenship on their non-Nigerian husbands, a bill on indigeneship, and a 10% affirmative action for women in political appointments.
“A truly democratic country is one where no citizen is stigmatized or deprived of opportunities because of her gender,” Azu emphasized.
“These bills, if passed, will provide legal protection for women who are grossly stigmatized by the Nigerian 1999 constitution as amended,” she added.