Senators Stella Oduah and Ben Murray-Bruce have both dissociated themselves from the actions of their colleagues over the gender equality bill, that was rejected on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday.
Both senators through separate means expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of Senators who shot down the bill, and assured that they would give their support to it when next it is re introduced.
The Senate had rejected the bill seeking to empower women politically and economically, as well as grant them equal opportunities with men in diverse human endeavours, an action which generated a lot of criticisms for the upper chamber with Nigerians labelling it anti-women.
Senator Oduah, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, in a statement, criticised her colleagues for shutting down the bill, and called for understanding from Nigerians, particularly her colleagues that the bill is not an issue bordering on patriarchy.
She noted that women are first of all human beings who have rights, before their ultimate role as mothers and therefore should be allowed equal opportunities.
She also said the country should go beyond empowering of women to empowering the society since it is not in doubt that Nigeria has untapped potentials in women which must be explored.
She described as unacceptable, the fact that the country was still discussing equal right for women in 2016.
On his part, Senator Murray-Bruce representing Bayelsa East constituency, also expressed support for the Gender Equality Bill, noting, that he was not in the chambers when the Bill came up for debate
Murray-Bruce made his position known in a tweet on Thursday, stating, that “I support the Gender Equality #GEOBill”.
“I was abroad with my Senate Cttee when it came up, but I’ve gotten assurances it will be represented”, he tweeted. (Ripples Ngr)