SHA’ABAN 27, 1429 A.H.
THURSDAY AUGUST 28 2008
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First Lady pledges commitment to CEDAW bill
From KABIRU YUSUF, Abuja
The First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar’adua has pledged her full support and commitment to facilitating the early passage of the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which has been with the National Assembly since 2005.
Hajiya Yar’adua made the pledge yesterday in Abuja at the opening of a two-day National Workshop on the Implementation of CEDAW, organised for commissioners of women affairs by the federal ministry of women affairs and social development, in conjunction with the International Republican Institute Country Office.
Represented by the wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Hajiya Kolo Kingibe, the First Lady lamented that the previous Bill for the domestication of the convention could not be passed by the immediate past members of the National Assembly due to lack of effective advocacy.
Her words: “Regrettably, almost thirty years after the ratification of the Convention, we still have a lot to do in order to ensure its solid domestication. The previous bill was not adopted by the last membership of the National Assembly due to lack of effective advocacy.”
She therefore urged the workshop to correct the previous lapses, by exploring more effective strategies for improving advocacy and mobilization of public opinion that will ensure the eventual domestication of the convention in Nigeria.
In her opening remark, minister of women affairs and social development, Hajiya Saudatu Usman Bungudu, expressed disappointment that in spite of constitutional provisions and several human rights treaties signed and ratified by Nigeria, gender-based discrimination and stereotypes are still a stumbling block in the development and empowerment of women and girls.
Hajiya Bungudu said the long-standing failure to protect and promote women’s rights and freedoms was a matter of concern that needed urgent attention and priority by all.
She assured that her ministry as the National Women Machinery will continue to provide leadership and collaboration with relevant partners and stakeholders to help in eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls in the country.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Senate Committee Chairman on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Umaru Dahiru, assured that there is a genuine build up of political will in the National Assembly to ensure that all forms of discrimination against women are eliminated in Nigeria within the shortest possible time. Senator Dahiru said the CEDAW Bill which could not be passed by the last National Assembly due to time factor still remains valid for consideration, adding that the National Assembly will continue to support the cause of women and ensure that Nigeria honours its obligations under the United Nations Treaty.
