Chaired by Wife of Nigeria Senate President, H.E. Mrs. Toyin Saraki, the second Senators Wives Forum meeting in the Eighth National Assembly has called for Nigerian men and women to work together to promote dignity for all and bridge the gap in gender equity and opportunity.
The assemblage was addressed by Senator Biodun Olujimi, Sponsor of the Gender Equality and Opportunity Bill, Madame Grace Ongile, Country Director of UN Women, and Julia Bunting, President and CEO of the Global Population Council.
Delivering the keynote address at the meeting which held today, 17th March 2016, the Forum Chair, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, stated, “Our second meeting comes at a significant time, a time when women’s rights and equality are being discussed around the world as part of Women’s History Month, as well as at the UN’s 60th Commission for the Status of Women in New York, which is taking place as we speak. For us here in Nigeria, the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill which was rejected in the Senate two days ago makes this meeting all the more timely; in fact, we couldn’t be meeting at a more important time.”
In light of the rejection of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill on Tuesday, 15th March 2016, discourse during today’s Senator’s Wives Forum meeting disproved the erroneous belief that religious and cultural rights are not compatible with the bill – which the Forum hopes will be ‘reintroduced’ by Senator Olujimi after necessary adjustments, following its recent setback. “We uphold our cultures, our traditions and our religious tenets within our respected diversities, in parity, peace and dignity. Let us pledge for parity within the contexts of social determinants and support dignity for all,” Mrs. Saraki stated.
Concluding her address, Mrs. Saraki further stated, "Let us be our sisters’ keepers; parity starts in our sisterhood in order to be embedded in our national consciousness to ensure our respect, dignity and rights. Women are the bedrock, the nurturers of the nation: women’s rights are family rights. Nigeria’s advancement will be gauged by the advancement of its most needy, it’s underprivileged, it's disabled, it's displaced, and it’s excluded and disenfranchised citizens, and indeed, it’s voiceless orphans.
Nigeria cannot advance if their women cannot advance. As Kofi Annan has said, ‘there is no tool for development more effective than empowering women.’ And I want to urge every woman here today to use her voice so that we can see all citizens live and work with dignity.”
A committed global advocate of women’s empowerment, Toyin Saraki also serves as the Founder of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa; the Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM); the Newborn Champion for Save the Children – and is a renowned advocate for the Every Woman Every Child effort of the UN Secretary General, the Girl Declaration, and the Girls Not Brides coalition.
Previous Chairs of the Senator’s Wives Forum have included Lady Margery Okadigbo, Barrister Chioma Blessing Anyim and Mrs. Helen David Mark – to name a few.
PHOTO CREDIT-Sync MEDIA HOUSE
Choi who is that one, yes that one on green skirt and blouse? she sef follow bi senator wife? Ok.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to believe she is a senator's wife. She looks like a nanny, if she is then shame on the senator,apparently he's nt taken care of his wife.
DeleteI don't want to believe she is a senator's wife. She looks like a nanny, if she is then shame on the senator,apparently he's nt taken care of his wife.
DeleteOnly in Nigeria. Which one be Senators Wives forum again.?
ReplyDeleteI like how they used Parity this time instead of equality,lol.
ReplyDeleteOver the past few days,that word "equality" has suddenly become a sacrilege among men. I have listened to radio stations and judging from the call-ins during the shows,you will realise that some people are not too bright.
Oh well,personally,i think the bill should be re-structured before our men develop high blood pressure.
Let it be stated that a widow has the sole right to have access to her husband's assets instead of being thrown into the streets with her kids.
Also,in the event of no will,the female children of a dead man can also be given whatever assets the man left behind.
Most couples these days want their male and female kids to inherit their properties and businesses in the event of death,unfortunately they die without a will and the tussle begins.
Of course Muslims already have a standard law according to the Holy book for the properties of a dead man to be shared amongst his widow(s),children,mother...they respect this so much,except maybe there is an efulefu in the family.
No one is dragging trouser with you people,calm down...look at the bill well without fear and do the needful,it will benefit your daughters oooh.
Good to know
ReplyDeleteWhy won't it be good to know. When you are already waiting for your brother to die so that you inherit his property and send away his wife and kids. Osu master like you
DeleteOk
ReplyDeleteBunch of effing time wasters.. using our precious tax money to have get togethers disguised as a forum.. they should get busy with there lives. #mssTchew
ReplyDeleteThis topic is bringing sleepless nights to our men lol
ReplyDeleteNa wa o, senators wives forums again?
ReplyDeleteOk.
ReplyDeleteSo u mean to tell me that all these women lookin like pepper sellers are our almighty senators wives? Choi! Now I know that side chics thoroughly rules n rock the world!
ReplyDeleteCool
ReplyDeleteMore greese to their elbows.
Senators wives forum??? Association of Senators wives is more like it... Mtsw!
ReplyDeleteWhat nonsense is this? Senators' wives forum? Their husbands haven't done anything to make life easier for Nigerans, for the love of pink what's their own agenda? How exactly do they plan to impact on the lives of Nigerians? I guess they're just seeking some level of validation. Only in Nigeria!
ReplyDeleteThe pepper seller.
At least they are trying to do their bit, let's commend them for that. This bill must be passed to Nigeria to become a civilised Country. Only cowardly men are afraid of gender equality
ReplyDeleteGood move from Toyin Saraki, a very sensible and intelligent approach to reviving the bill, inviting the bill sponsor, UN Women and Population Council. I'm sure they will consult widely. Better than noisemaking.
ReplyDelete