Abuja – The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) says it will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to translate the Gender Parity and Prohibition of Violence against Women Bill into Nigerian languages.
Ms Ratidzai Ndhlovu, the Country Representative, UNFPA, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Ndhlovu explained that the translation of the bill was to enhance appreciation and understanding of the bill by most Nigerians.
“UNFPA is very active on that right now we are busy working with them on how to make it known, if it means translation to local languages, if it means what.
“Right now I am going into contact with the Minister of Women Affairs so that we craft how best we can get this to be alive not just a document.
“We are working with many partners and some NGOs are helping us to pushing and lobbying, and we have been very active on that.’’
Ndhlovu said the bill focused on prohibiting all sorts of violence against women and eliminating gender-based discrimination in politics, education, employment and marriages.
NAN recalls that the bill was rejected by the Senate on March 15, 2016.
However, the county representative said UNFPA would continue promote sexual and reproductive right of women and adolescent girls in Nigeria.
She noted that about 65 girls were recently rescued from captivity of insurgents in the North east.
Ndhlovu said UNFPA has been there to ensure that the rescued women and girls get the basic sexual and reproductive health services.
“If they come out pregnant, we work with the Commissioner for Health in the state to ensure that they get the sexual and reproductive health attention they required.
“We go a mile further to buy culturally sensitive clothes to the rescued victims so that they can be able to change and we also provide dignity kits to them.’’ (NAN)