The Ekiti State government has enacted an Act that provides equal opportunities for all persons and prohibits all forms of gender-based discrimination and inequalities.
The bill seeking the enactment of the law was presented to the State House of Assembly few months ago by the state government.
It was critically deliberated on by the 26 members of Ekiti State House of Assembly.
Issues were raised in the floor of the house by the members at the public hearing and even at the final stage.
The speaker of the House, Dr. Adewale Omirin, said the unanimous decision to pass the bill was reached after due consultations of the stakeholders, including market women, by the House.
Equal Opportunities Act
“The most interesting thing now is that, in Ekiti State, men and women now share equal opportunities and also, the rights of women are fully protected,” he said.
The wife of the governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, initiated the bill.
She pointed out that the ‘Equal Opportunities Act’ has nothing to do with the responsibilities of the man who, by the Nigerian culture and tradition, is the head of the family.
She Said: “The responsibilities of a man as the head of the family still stands. A woman is not a weaker sex. As a woman, you will continue to assist the husband within your limited powers.”
Some of the Acts’ proscriptions are;
- Prohibition of discrimination and inequalities generally.
- Prohibition of discrimination by public institutions and others.
- Equal development and advancement of girls and women.
- Measures to accelerate existing equal opportunities between men and women.
- Rights to inherit parents’ and husband’s properties.
- Protection of elderly persons.
- Protection of widows.
- Rights to protect women reproductive health
A member of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Omowumi Ogunlola, described the enactment of the Act is a bold step taken by the state government and the State House of Assembly.
Another member of the State Assembly, Segun Erinle, was of the opinion that women should be ready to take equal responsibilities in the family.
“As a woman, you are no longer expected to seat and wait for the man to foot all expenses at home,” he stressed.
There was a large crowd made up of the state’s commissioners, market women and the wife of the Ekiti State governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, at the Ekiti State House of Assembly to mark the enactment of the Act.
A jubilant scene was created immediately the bill was passed into law. The women could not hold their joy, saying “ women have suffered enough discrimination and intimidation.
By the enactment of the Act, Ekiti became the first to domesticate ‘Equal Opportunities Act’.
