Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola, Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, has introduced a bill aimed at eliminating gender discrimination in both public and private sectors. During a plenary session on Tuesday, Nwuchiola presented the Bill on Gender Representation in Public and Private Offices, which aims to address gender imbalances in leadership and decision-making roles.
The proposed legislation seeks to ensure fair and proportional representation of both women and men in various roles to promote justice, economic growth, and social progress in Kogi State. By eliminating gender-based discrimination, the bill is designed to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), create role models, challenge existing social norms, and reduce the marginalization of women.
Nwuchiola emphasized that the bill aligns with the principles of proportionate representation, ensuring no gender is excluded from governance and corporate structures. It aims to foster inclusive governance for improved decision-making and democratic participation.
The bill adheres to national and international standards, including the Nigerian Constitution’s non-discrimination provisions and Nigeria’s commitments under international conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). By aligning state laws with these global commitments, the bill seeks to remove barriers to gender representation and promote equality.