Nigeria: Cedaw Bill - Masari Wants Speedy Passage

April 27, 2007 - (Daily Trust) Speaker of the House of Representatives has pledged to ensure the speedy passage of an impending Bill aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination against women.

Hon. Aminu Bello Masari made the pledge yesterday when the stakeholders in the Bill led by Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Saudatu Sani, paid him a courtesy visit.

Hon. Bello Masari enjoined the committee to present the report on the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Bill next week to facilitate its passage before the termination of this tenure.

The Speaker advised them to work in collaboration with the senate to facilitate the domestication of the convention which has been ratified in the country since 1985 and ensure that it becomes totally applicable.

He reminded the stakeholders to be conscious of the African tradition in the compilation of the report in order to be in line with local culture and expressed hope that more women will now be participating in the political development of this country.

Earlier, Hon. Saudatu Sani had sought the support of the Speaker to ensure that the Bill gets the necessary attention, adding that it will be part of the achievement of the National Assembly if the Bill is passed into law.

In her speech, the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajia Safiya Mohammed, described Hon. Masari as a gender friendly person, adding that she hopes the Bill will be passed during the present legislative regime to ensure that women move forward in every aspect of national development.

The stakeholders in the proposed CEDAW Bill include the Women Affairs Committee in the National Assembly, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, National Human Rights Commission. United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and other development agencies.

 

From:http://allafrica.com/stories/200704270279.html