Ekiti State House of Assembly has passed a bill that provides equal opportunities for all persons and prohibits all forms of gender-based discrimination and inequalities in the state.
With the passage of the bill, Ekiti scored another first, as the earliest state to domesticate the “Equal Opportunity Act”. The bill which was initiated by the wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi passed through public hearing and was extensively deliberated upon by the members of the House of Assembly before it was unanimously passed.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin said that the decision to pass the bill was reached after due consultations with all relevant stakeholders including market women.
According to him, the passage of the bill will provide equal rights and opportunities for both men and women while the rights of women are fully protected.
The initiator of the bill and wife of the state Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi in an interview, stressed that the bill will not erode the responsibilities of man, who by tradition is regarded as the head of the family.
Erelu Fayemi emphasized that women should not be seen as a weaker sex adding that women must however continue to assist their husbands within their limited powers.
The Assembly also passed the State Registration and Business Premises Bill which seeks the proper registration of business premises in the state.
Last modified: November 11, 2013
