The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to continue to promote gender equality through the passage of laws that would protect the rights of women.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Justin Okonoboh, made the promise during plenary to mark the 2017 international women’s day celebration in Benin.
Okonoboh noted that the house had passed six bills that affected women and children.
He listed the bills to include; a law to prohibit Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation, 1999. And law to make provision for the prohibition of inhuman treatment of widows, 2001.
Others include; A law to amend the provisions of inhuman treatment of widow (prohibition) law, 2004 and law to provide protection against stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with (HIV/AIDS), 2006.
He said the House also passed a law to protect the rights of the Child 2007 and a law to establish the Edo State Agency for the Control of Aids, 2009.
Okonoboh said that the Gender Equality Opportunity Bill,2016 and a Bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons were pending.
According to him, they are before various committees of the House.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, member representing (APC Uhunmwode) Constituency urged Gov. Godwin Obaseki to give top priority to 35 per cent affirmative action in his appointment across the state.
The affirmative action seeks 35 per cent employment opportunity for women in governance.
THE NATION
