BY AMINA AGBAJE

Women’s Rights Movement in Nigeria – A Step Closer to Gender Parity and Abolition of Gender Discrimination!

FIDA Nigeria, a vanguard in the quest for gender parity, joins millions of others to celebrate the commendable bold move of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who ended the denial of women inheritance that was prevalent among cultures in Rivers State, when he signed into law on Thursday, 15th September, 2022, the Rivers State Prohibition of the Curtailment of Women’s Right to Share in Family Property Law No. 2 of 2022.

The passage of this law by the Executive Governor of Rivers State is a clear testament to the tenacity and resoluteness of his administration to eradicate and prohibit the restrictions that abound in Rivers state which restrictions, abrogate or curtail the rights of women to share in family property, or make it a taboo for female children to inherit property.

This law is one which FIDA Nigeria has consistently advocated for its passage, all over the country being that it reinforces the truism that Women’s rights are indeed Human rights and as such, MUST be safeguarded and protected at all cost! The Importance of this law cannot be over-emphasized as it will enable women in Rivers state to effectively actualize their potentials, and allow them to inherit their entitlements while paving the way for discrimination to be challenged in court, riding on the back of the new Law.

Certainly, it is mind boggling and beyond reasonable contemplation that, in view of all the giant strides recorded by mankind in the 21st Century, women in parts of Nigeria are still being subjugated based solely on their gender, sometimes leading to outright denial of their rights which the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) has already guaranteed.

It is sequel to the foregoing that, FIDA Nigeria in continuation of its commitment towards protecting, promoting and preserving the rights of indigent women and children, makes this Clarion call on all State Governors to emulate the exceedingly commendable step taken by the Executive Governor of Rivers State and ensure the passage of this law and similar other laws in their states, particularly for States that are yet to pass into law the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act; and the Child’s Rights Act, amongst others.

The above call by FIDA Nigeria extends to all stakeholders in the movement towards the eradication of bias and discrimination rooted in gender inequality. Together we can push for greater actualization for gender parity across all spheres of society as we remain resolute in ensuring a society free from all forms of gender-based discrimination.

#Womenrightsarehumanrights. #genderparity. #togetherwecan #FIDANigeria

* Amina Suzanah Agbaje is FIDA Nigeria Country Vice President/CVP

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