By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, yesterday urged Nigerians to pray for the members of Parliament who rejected the Bills which sought extra legislative seats for women and Affirmative Action at a joint session on the floor of the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The Minister, who was visibly angry over the development while addressing journalists at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the State House, described the rejection of proposed legislation as a “show of shame” and threatened to mobilise Nigerian women to strategise and make a point during the 2023 election.

“I urge all Nigerians to help us pray for the men that killed this bill yesterday in the National Assembly,” she said.

Specifically, the bills failed to garner the required number of votes to scale through during the clause-by-clause consideration at the ongoing constitution amendment at both chambers in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

The lawmakers had voted against the bill to create special seats for women in the national and state assemblies

They also voted against a bill that seeks provision for affirmative action for women in political parties’ administration.

However, the Minister said the decision to turn down the proposed legislation was most unfortunate, and a big show of shame, and smacks of insensitivity by the male-dominated parliament, even as she expressed optimism that there will be light at the end of the tunnel eventually.

“It clearly shows that the men that were against the bill don’t have any respect for women, it’s clear. But I am not generalising, not all the men in the National Assembly. We have the figures, 72 men in the House of Representatives voted in support of the bill. So, I’m not generalising.

“We are saying that, for those that don’t believe in it, we will continue to intensify advocacy for them to believe in gender equality and the role that women can play when they are on the decision table to make Nigeria better.

“I want to assure you, that all hope is not lost. I have reassured Nigerian women that we should not be daunted, we should remain resilient. And we have already put in place strategies. Last night we all met the key civil society organizations and other women activists.

“We are strategizing with the female members in both houses of the national assembly. And I want to assure you, that Nigeria women will not give up, we’ll keep pushing until we achieve affirmative action. Other strategies have also been put in place, which I will not disclose now. But we are putting strategies towards the 2023 elections. And we know what to do by the grace of God.”

The Minister dismissed insinuations that enough advocacy was not done by the women to ensure the Bills sail through in the Parliament.

She quipped, “There was- a lot of advocacy has been put in place, but they were simply bent on doing what they wanted to do. However, we are not giving up, we will continue to intensify, advocacy right to the local government level up to the ward level. And the outcome of our advocacy now will show by the time we go into the next election that is very much around the corner.

“What happened is, unfortunately, on the first day of March is the month to acknowledge and celebrate a woman. However, what happened today (Wednesday) in council is a big relief, and is a reassurance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, that he believes in women, and that this administration will continue to support all issues that will support women towards national development.

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“My next prayer is that the National Assembly should support the executive because the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary must work in harmony to ensure that Mr. President succeed.”

The Minister, however, declined to be categorical on what specific strategies the women were putting in place towards 2023.

She said, “We believe in democracy, we believe that everyone has the right to test his popularity by contesting. But again, you will agree with me that women and youths are the greatest voters. And if you negate this huge number of the population of the country that is always consistent to turn in and vote. Come rain come sunshine, then. Something will surely happen that would change the narrative, this coming election by the grace of God.”

She said the Ministry of Women Affairs presented a memo on the national gender policy to the Federal Executive Council.

“This memo is a revised national agenda policy 2021 – 2026. It represents a set of minimum standards expected of the Nigerian government to meet its mandate for gender equality, good governance, accountability, and being socially responsive to the needs of its vulnerable group.

“Equity remains the foundation of the core principles of agenda 2030 which says ‘Leave no one behind. I want to put on record that Mr. President has done so much to support women through numerous pro-woman projects. This memo today that has been approved by the council has gone again to clearly state the fact that Mr. President is committed to making a difference as far as women issues are concerned.

“This has also come at the right time. I’m sure you’re all aware that the whole month of March is set aside by the international community to United Nations to celebrate activities that concern women and women’s contribution towards national development.

“I seize this opportunity to thank Mr. President on behalf of all Nigerian women for this gift of the approval of this memo at this time as we celebrate International Women’s Day.”