UNICEF Pushes for Passage of Laws to Provide 30% Appointments for Women, Ban Hawking in Zamfara State
By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna
As part of efforts to strengthen the education sector in Zamfara State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Wednesday commenced a two day meeting with members of State House of Assembly to acquaint them with two pending bills that can change the sector.
The Bills are; A law to provide 30% appointments of women in education sector at all levels and A law banning hawking and begging during school hours.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting in Kaduna, Dr. Zakari Adam, Chief of Field Office UNICEF Kaduna, said the draft bills were developed to ensure that children have access to quality education and women have increased opportunities for being appointed in decision making positions in education sector in Zamfara state.
According to him, “the bills had reached advanced stage with the former leadership of Zamfara State House of Assembly. However, the bills could not be passed/signed into law due to electioneering activities, change of leadership and insecurity challenges in the State.”
Dr. Zakari, explained that UNICEF supported Zamfara state High Level Women Advocates (HiLWA) to work with former honourable members of Zamfara State House of Assembly and technical team from Zamfara State Ministry of Justice to develop the two draft bills.
He said the new leadership of the Assembly were brought together in Kaduna to look at the two draft bills again and facilitate further action towards the passage into law.
He expressed hope that UNICEF believe that the present House of Assembly under the leadership of the Honourable Speaker, Hon. Nasiru Mu’azu will give the two bills accelerated passage.
“The priority attached to education in Zamfara State by the current administration is highly commendable and this spirit should be extended to the scaling up of interventions supported
by UNICEF under Basic Education programme.
“Your presence at this meeting is a demonstration of commitment in championing the right of children and women in Zamfara state. You are indeed setting the pace for others to follow.
“The commitment of HilWA, Zamfara State in driving the course for women and children is commendable by both UNICEF and the United Nations
“Education, we all know, is a fundamental human right and has been emphasized by several international conventions, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the SDG6 especially goal 4 which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong leaning opportunities for all. He said.
Speaker of the Zamfara State Assembly who was represented by the Chief Whip, Hon. Zahradeen Sada, commended UNICEF for convening the meeting and also giving the state so much support, calling on participants to make the best out of the meeting.
