WARDC urges National Assembly to pass law on gender rights 

• Oxfam seeks change of social norms
• Ganduje re-opens rehabilitation centre for female drug addicts

Woman Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has urged the National Assembly to pass the bill on women’s rights. She said the actualisation of gender equality and women empowerment would be a mirage, if the constraining factors were not addressed.

According to the founding Director, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi: “We can only press for progress for women, if we support them with laws and actions that would better their lives.”

Akinyode-Afolabi noted that gender issues have continued to negatively pose a challenge to accepted norms and values of marriage, family and religion. She said: “Arguably, while enrolment gaps between girls and boys are narrowing in the country, large disparities still exist at the secondary and tertiary levels.

“These reflect structural and institutionalised discrimination that disadvantages women by restricting their choices and reducing their opportunities for income and employment.”

Also, the Country Director of Oxfam in Nigeria, Iftikhar Nizami, has called for a change in the social norms that militate against women’s progress.He stated this in a statement yesterday to mark the International Women’s Day.Iftikhar said Oxfam would continue to be a steadfast partner in the task of supporting women and minority populations around the world.

He stressed that the body would double its efforts in PressforProgress, by challenging stereotypes and bias that limit women. This, the body, said would be done through its first worldwide ENOUGH Campaign to Ending Violence Against Women and Girls(EVAWG).In Kano State, the government disclosed plans to re-open the Kiru Rehabilitation Centre to accommodate female inmates.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Yar’dada Maikano Bichi, disclosed this yesterday at a press conference.She said: “Government has selected over 2,000 women from across the 484 wards in the 44 local government areas to participate in the celebration.She added that the state has earmarked N26million to mark the International Women’s Day.She explained that the Kiru centre rehabilitation was necessary to address the growing number of women who are involved in drug addition.