Remarks by the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on #InternationalWomensDay
Remarks by the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on #InternationalWomensDay
International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world. On this special occasion, we must not only take a moment to reflect on the great achievements and transformative role that women of all ages have played across the globe - we must especially look at the impact and role of women and girls here in Nigeria.
We must take stock and appreciate the ever-evolving ways that women and girls continue to shape the social, cultural, economic and political future of this country. We must also reflect on the unique challenges that millions of women and children face in Nigerian society, their respective workplaces, and their homes as we strive to create an environment where all women and girls - regardless of age or ethnicity - can flourish, where they can thrive and where they can prosper.
Here in Nigeria, we too are in the process of what I like to call a “holistic recalibration.” This recalibration seeks to ensure the more efficient allocation, utilisation, and prioritisation of our national wealth and resources for the benefit of the millions of Nigerians that have been neglected in the past - most importantly the women and children.
Undoubtedly, as we re-prioritise under this administration of ‘Change’, we must employ proven Gender Mainstreaming strategies and policies, as well as map out appropriate legislative interventions to impact the lives of our female children and the women in our communities.
Coming from the perspective that if you “educate a woman, you educate a nation,” working with the appropriate committees of the Senate, we understand that the Legislative Agenda of the 8th Senate must be considered from a developmental perspective that leaves no man, woman or child behind.
With the Legislative Agenda’s section on National Economy and Sustainable Development, we will be focusing on enacting legislation that creates a more vibrant domestic business environment that diversifies the Nigerian economy. Doing this will create more opportunities for our female entrepreneurs, which research from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates own about 30 percent of the registered entrepreneurial businesses in Nigeria. As women continue to prosper in the private sector, the opportunities and benefits they create and unlock will be felt for generations to come.
Additionally, with the help of agencies, civil society organisations and NGOs, we will be working on exploring many of the strategic opportunities that exist for the long-term sustainable socio-economic development of our women and children.
Because we understand that:
Pushing for more legislative interventions that would get more of our women into the Nigerian labour force today, could boost the overall economy tomorrow.
Passing legislation that improves access to quality education for girls today, could significantly boost their income tomorrow and reduce the overall poverty levels in Nigeria.
Passing legislation that promotes stronger health systems today, could mean that maternal and child deaths drop dramatically tomorrow.
There are countless opportunities that exist, and this 8th Senate hopes to tap into them working in-line with Sustainable Development Goals #1, #3, #5, and #8, which seek to: End Poverty in all its forms everywhere; Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages; Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; and Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
As we work on passing laws, which we hope will affect the lives and livelihoods of the citizenry, we will also be working on the appropriate legislative orientation efforts that will make certain that change in laws, promote a culture of positive change. What this means is that we will be working on our follow-through capabilities on both existing and new laws, and those that are still in the pipeline.
We intend to educate concerned stakeholders like the Judiciary, Legal Practioners, and CSOs on laws that affect women. In this regard, I believe that a great place to start would be on hosting a Joint Capacity-Building and Sensitization Workshop on the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015 in Nigeria: With special reference to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
Again, I want to re-assure you of the 8th National Assembly’s commitment to bettering the lives of all Nigerian women and children and reaffirm our dedication to building Nigeria into a nation that embraces, empowers and believes in the transformative potential of women and girls.
Happy #InternationalWomensDay!
Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki
President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria