Gender Equality bill passes second reading at the senate

The Gender Equality Opportunity (GEO) Bill which suffered major setback in March this year, passed for second reading at the senate today September 29th.

The bill which is being sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi, seeks to amongst other things address women's freedom of movement, female economic activity, girls' access to education, equal rights for women in marriage, divorce, property/land ownership and inheritance, appropriate measures against gender discrimination in political and public life and prohibitions of violence to women.

It was first rejected by the majority of the male senators when it was first read in March as most of them felt the bill if passed will give women more power and this according to them was against the African culture. Some of the senators even alleged that the bill if passed will turn some women into prostitutes and lesbians.

The bill was mentioned on the floor today and was not opposed by any of the senators. It has now being forwarded to the senate Committee on Judiciary for more legislative consideration.