PASSING through a second senate reading on Wednesday, a Bill that is meant to help level the field with regards jobs that Nigerian women may seek and find employment appears destined on its way towards an eventual adoption by the legislative body.
Sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (ACN-Lagos), the Bill seeks the amendment of Section 57 of the Labor Act of 2004, which currently enables the Labor Minister to restrict the employment of women in any vocation of the minister’s choosing.
“Since independence, girl-child education in Nigeria has improved tremendously. In some states of the federation, girl-child education is almost at par with that of the male counterparts,” said Senator Tinubu, adding that the current disparity seen between the economic and political successes between men and women necessitates steps to redress anomalies in Nigeria’s statutes, among other initiatives.
“There is a gap between the male and female in terms of economic and political achievements as there has been no conscious legislation to avail the girl-child this opportunity,’’ she said.
She added that it was imperative that an amendment is done to a law that only entrenches a worldview that is more or less expired, as Nigeria has progressed beyond confines where such views thrived.
“Without the amendment, we will be unwittingly fostering the reduction of opportunities for women’s participation in the economy.’’
Senator Helen Esuene (PDP – Akwa Ibom) , who also participated in the date, pointed out that today’s Nigerian women are employed in fields that were previously seen as the exclusive preserve of men, an apparent proof that the law is not out-of-date.
Calling for the strengthening of the place of the Nigerian woman, she said that“ Women are currently working on installation masts, working as engineers, working offshore and even as taxi drivers, among several other tedious jobs.
“I call on all of you to support this bill, so that more opportunities will be opened for women to work in whatever field or area that they are competent in,’’ she said.
Senators present voted in support of the Bill following which Senate President David Mark joined in referring it to the Labor and Productivity for further review before enactment.
A senator from Akwa Ibom, Mr. Ita Enang had registered his opposition to the amendment on the grounds that, in his opinion, it was a constitutional matter in need of a constitutional amendment. But he was immediately opposed by his colleagues.