By Kabiru Dogon Daji Birnin Kebbi
Female lawyers and social commentators have reacted to the rejection of the 35 per cent affi rmative action for women as ministers as well as 20 per cent for women as commissioners in states by the Senate. Reacting to the situation, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA) Nigeria, described the failure of the bill as disappointing for the success of Nigeria’s democracy. In a statement by its country Vice President, Inima Aguma, FIDA Nigeria called on civil society organisations across the country and stakeholders to speak against the development. “FIDA Nigeria is greatly disappointed at the recent events in the National Assembly where the Senators voted against 35 per cent affi rmative action for women in the governance space. “At this stage in Nigeria, we are still taking one step forward and ten steps backward to the detriment of women who constitute more than 50 per cent of the population and the sustainable development goals signed up by the Federal Republic of Nigeria, attainable only by adopting gender parity in all spheres of governance. “FIDA Nigeria enjoins the civil society, media and all other stakeholders to join her in raising their voice against this increasing injustice, degradation against women in Nigeria,” the statement said.
