During its plenary session earlier today, the Nigerian Senate rejected a bill titled "A Bill Seeking Gender Parity and Prohibition of Violence against Women"
presented by Abiodun Olujimi, a senator from Ekiti state, which is
designed to grant women the same marital rights as their husbands.
While explaining the content of her bill, Olujimi, who is the
deputy minority whip of the Senate, said that it seeks equal rights for
women in marriage, education and job. In her bill, she said that a widow
would automatically become the custodian of children in the event of
the death of her husband, and would also inherit his property.
Speaking in support of the bill, Ike Ekeremadu, deputy senate
president, stated that countries develop where women are given equal
opportunities. "Only last night, I was going through a document
prepared by George Bush of America. Those countries that are doing well
are those who give women opportunities.
"Where I come from, women don’t eat egg and are restricted from
touching the non-essential parts of animal. But now that has changed.
"What is needed is time and education, not necessarily
legislation. We will continue to encourage our women. I support this
bill."
A senator from Zamfara state, Sani Yerima, expressed aversion to
the bill, arguing that it was in conflict with the Nigerian
constitution, adding that the bill negates the principles of the Sharia
law, which the constitutions regards.
Making his contribution to the debate, Ali Ndume, Senate leader,
urged Nigerians to stick with either religious or traditional marriage,
adding that crisis usually occurs when couples who had performed both
traditional and religious marriage rites find themselves in the middle
of a divorce.
"This law that is being amended is very important especially
when there is a clear conflict when it comes to dealing with widows,
inheritance, divorce, even marriage itself in our society.
"There are various traditions. The problem we have is the
combination of our traditions and new religious beliefs. You will find
an Igbo man who cannot speak Igbo language because he studied abroad. He
will do traditional marriage then go to church again to get married in
the church.
"The church wedding says if you marry, the couple become one
while the Igbo tradition says when you marry a wife, she becomes your
property. So when issues come up after the marriage, you now wonder
which one to take.
"As for inheritance and divorce, in Islam, it is very clear how
it is being done, but if you combine that with your tradition, you find
out that women are being discriminated in a disadvantageous manner.
There is a need for women who are involved in this advocacy to also
engage in enlightenment.
"If you will marry, you will marry; either Christian or Muslim.
I think this bill is timely and important and at the public hearing
stage, we will look at this bill very well," he said.
Senate President Bukola Saraki put the bill to a vote, to which the opposing senators shouted a thunderous 'nay', and subsequently had their way.
The bill was being read a second time when it was rejected.
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