GTU

Welcome to The Gender Technical Unit of The National Assembly!

Official opening of the Gender Technical Unit (GTU)

In The News:

Abuja - November 30th 2010: The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill was read by the Honourable of the House of Representatives with an overwhelming numerical endorsement. Members, especially the male sponsors and supporters drew attention to the fact that a comprehensive legal frame work to respond to old and emerging forms of gender based violence was long overdue.

Hon. Binta Masi Garba, Chair House Committee on Women and Children received massive support from her female colleagues but most gladdening from the leadership of the House, and the strong male voices especially Hon. Faruk Lawan and a host of the many male gender champions in the House.

Amidst the overwhelming support, key concerns were raised on the need for the committee of reference to revisit some of the provisions of the Bill to remove ambiguous language and strengthen it by way of imposing stiffer penalties for certain offences in order to attain its intended effect of demanding accountability as well as a deterrent. At the end of the debates, the Bill passed through with no pronounced dissenting voices. It was then referred to the committees on Women Affairs, Human Rights and Justice for further legislative work.

Port Louis: 16 November – Gender Links welcomes the appointment for the first time of a woman, Monique Oh San Bellepeau, as vice president in the Republic of Mauritius. After nearly four decades of independence and two decades of Republic, her nomination is a strong sign that gender equality is high on the agenda of the present government.  It is also a victory for gender activists and Mauritian women at large, as well as for women in the region.