 కమికానింధడిింపతిండి. క్బకింని. మతోర౓నుతెర్ందిండుర్. మరోఔకికేడిాంపినింతోంపి. మధంపిండింంపినుంపింఖికికాకి. The bill seek to protect the right of widows, guarantee appropriate measures against gender discrimination in political and public scene, and prohibit violence against women in Nigeria. The bill was rejected by some male lawmakers who argued that the Nigerian constitution was clear on the right of citizens, including women. Biodun Olujume, senator representing the Kiti South, however, reworked the bill and continued the pursuits in the Senate since first reading in 2019. After scaling second reading and referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, unfortunately the bill was rejected again by some male lawmakers claiming that the bill was against religious practice and that they can only favor gender equity over gender equality. Now, great women and men were recognized in the Quran and the Bible. So, why shouldn't we give anyone equal opportunities in contributing to the attainment of a balanced and progressive nation? More so, no human, be the male or female is more human than any other human. So everyone deserves fairness, justice, socio-economic opportunities. The strength of a state is seen in her ability to see possibilities parity in leadership offers. It also calls for the need to look beyond biases and utilize diversity to strengthen its systems. However, recent trends and happenings have proven that the issue of gender equality mainstreaming is bound to be swept under the carpet as a particular gender at the helm of leadership is seen as a taboo in some certain areas. In the 21st century, where nations around the globe are searching for more advanced ways and solutions to tackling problems, some are still at the very low of thinking gender equality should not be encouraged. This anomaly begs the following question. What is our future with policies that have no place for gender equality or equality at large? Are we governed by bias belief that some sets of individuals are not fit to rule? What happens to the fundamental human rights which stipulates right to freedom from discriminatory biases based on sex, ethnicity or religion? These and many more are the questions roaming the minds of progressives amongst us. The issue of gender equality is a universal debate and patriarchal systems have been gender equality almost impossible. People are not supposed to be evaluated by their ethnicity or gender but by their abilities to deliver only and if only we as a nation can see the possibilities of equality then we are sure to be one step further in the progress ladder. In conclusion, leadership, intellectualism, greatness has no gender. It could be attained by anyone who puts in the necessary efforts. Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance. That's for Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General. God rest his soul. That's a good one. I agree with you on all counts that in the 21st century we shouldn't be having the kind of conversation that we have in the parliament over the extent to which we are going to include women in mainstream politics and other facets of society. Having said that, I have not read the legislation or the bill so I wouldn't know the angle of decent or convergence. But I understand that whatever the case may be, some people are saying that women should not be, they should not be, they should not be, they should only be seen. And they should not be heard. I think that is so obvious. In the 21st century it should not be heard. You just remind, I was watching at the Zira yesterday and I saw that in Afghanistan the current regime there has passed a law that women cannot write more than this. Without having a male guy or what they call Muharram in Islamic context. So that we cannot, Afghanistan should not be the standard that we aspire to as a nation. We are a democratic government whereby the constitution that she pointed out in session 42 has recognized the fundamental right of everybody irrespective of the agenda and any form of inclination. So we will continue to advocacy to revive that bill and see that eventually it sees the light of day. But that notwithstanding, I would like to be devil's advocate here. Having really tried to work with women in legislation, they are not the easiest people. You say with women? Yes. I think that, I mean, I think that it goes beyond working with the women in legislation. I'm looking more at what it means, the system as a whole. Essentially in 2021 where we have world leaders of countries, heads of states as women, how can we in 2021 in Nigeria still hold such backward views. And I do call them backwards and I often wonder what supersedes in Nigeria. Is it the law of the country or a religious law? I don't get it and I think it's just sad. I'm glad that you're a man and you're the one who's talking about making this case. Because if we're women, people will be like women are taking it. So it's a good thing. As a woman, I know what it is to have that bias used. For instance, I don't know now, but do you know that you cannot even apply for Nigerian passport as a woman without either your husband's consent or your father? It's ridiculous. In 2000, you didn't know that, did you? Because you're a man, nobody's ready to ask you. But yes, so did your husband, your husband has to sign something or your father and I'm thinking, okay, I'm a widow and I'm an orphan. I think it's not, that maybe it must have changed because I know quite something. It has changed but I actually went through it. And then if you are a woman and you're trying to apply for your children. Children, you have to have the father's consent. Do you understand? And that's just the basic. That's just the fact. But you see, I think it goes also because of the fact that law and custom are really head-to-head here. Because you're a lawyer. Yes, it's head-to-head. So even when you get an edge in the legal side, you have the custom running up next to you and you know, changing it. Because sometimes we change and should change. But we can't seem to do that. But you know what is funny? It's funny how in some instances, the culture wins because it suits our purpose at that time. It suits our purpose. We're not consistently choosing culture. In the things that really matter to the men. Exactly. They're not choosing culture. Speaking of how this whole thing is, is even beyond the Nigerian context. I was watching an interview the other day on the same magazine. It was Antonio Gutierrez, the current United Nations General. So the journalist asked him that when are we going to have the first female... It's Secretary General. No, he now said that when we will have the next Madam General. And Antonio Gutierrez was sure he couldn't answer the question. So he owned up to him that yeah, we understand that this issue is also in the United Nations. And that we will continue to see how it works. It is everywhere. So it's a good answer. It was worse in Nigeria. It was not just Nigeria. In some countries. In some countries. Tell you where religion plays such a role. Since we are playing the religious card, the Bible and the Quran mention prominent women that have expressed leadership. So they should stop deceiving the people. Going for that, the Bible says that they are neither male nor female. Nothing male. Sure. Sure. Barbados just had a woman leading them into the future. And guess what? There is another woman who is actually leading English authorities. In Elizabeth's woman, leading English authorities. Even in New Zealand. In New Zealand, the woman understand what's her name again. She's doing well. In fact, there was a survey of countries that properly managed the COVID situation. And it was women. But let me say something. I think that while we are talking about all the things that need to change, we must also admit that some things have changed. There are a lot of the bank heads in Nigeria recently. They are all women. Which means that obviously, I mean, I hope it's not a political thing. I hope they are not playing to the gallery. But these women are qualified. I think we are making progress. But the problem is that there are some in part of the country. Some persons from some part of the country are trying to drag us backward. While some other parts are moving forward. I agree with you. I agree with you. But that notwithstanding. I mean, I know that women in places like Cross River, Ogoniland and things like that. They are women. They are women. I have a friend. She is the leader of the house. She is the chief of army staff in a government. Chief of staff. Chief of staff. Sorry, chief of staff. Chief of staff. I am looking at this woman. And I am thinking, how can she? Because she is the young woman from Niger Delta. So I can't imagine her standing there and telling those men to... That's very interesting. It can happen everywhere. Not until our Nautan brothers and sisters experience this. We will keep talking because it's easy for some of them to say we will get married off our girls at the age of nine. And then you don't want the girls to go to school. Imagine the religious police in a particular state which sees a smart room from girls. See, it's wrong for them. I don't understand. There are these ladies who are... They are from Miss Nigeria. Yes. A beauty pigeon. Yes. This religious police had someone her parent to explain why they have to allow the daughter to... So it speaks to how this is more entrenched in some part of the country. And she is very beautiful. She is a very beautiful woman. Thank you all for your review. Well, a woman should know her place. And her place is in the driver's seat. Well, thank you for your attention. Why the programs lasted. We hoped our conversations resonated with you. Little drops of water they see make a mighty ocean. Don't forget the advocacy continues on our social media platform on Facebook at plus TV Africa hashtag the advocate ng and Instagram at plus TV Africa hashtag the advocate ng. To catch up with previous broadcasts go to plus TV Africa dot com forward slash the advocate ng. Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel plus TV Africa. Thank you for your constant love and support in the past year. Yes to another amazing year. Let's keep advocating for a better society. See you next time and happy new year once again.