By Ipole Ogbeche
Procative Gender Initiative (PGI) has asked the management of Glo Nigeria to recall the about 90 women sacked from its employ because of their matrimonial status or face legal action as well as total boycott of the network by women across the country.
National Coordinator of PGI, Bar. Esther Uzoma, in a press statement in Abuja on Wednesday frowned at the “obnoxious discrimination based on gender,’ stressing that it was a sad development for the marriage institution as it the action violates the 1999 constitution as amended as well as the Banjul Charter on human and peoples rights.
“Glo has desecrated the 1999 constitution as amended and the The Banjul charter of the African Union which are clear on discrimination. For the avoidance of doubt, the Charter in chapter 1 article 1 says; ‘every individual shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in the present Charter without distinction of kind such as race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.
“Similar Article 15 of the Charter is explicit on equitable work and pay.
“Also, section 42 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended expressly notes: (1) A citizen of Nigeria of a particular community, ethnic group, place of origin, sex, religion or political opinion shall not, by reason only that he is such a person:-
“(a) be subjected either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any executive or administrative action of the government, to disabilities or restrictions to which citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions are not made subject; or
“(b) be accorded either expressly by, or in the practical application of, any law in force in Nigeria or any such executive or administrative action, any privilege or advantage that is not accorded to citizens of Nigeria of other communities, ethnic
groups, places of origin, sex, religions or political opinions.
“We at PGI at not only shocked by the recent development in Glo, a major network provider in Nigeria, but find it appalling at the obnoxious discrimination based on gender.
“It is in the interest of Glo Nigeria to begin the process of the recall of the about 90 women who were unjustifiably dismissed for being married. At a time when there is the urgency to strengthen family ties through the marriage institution a leading company in the country will be sacking women over their marital status of being married is a sad development for the marriage institution,” Uzoma said.
According to the PGI coordinator, it was an unfortunate and worrying turn of events in Nigeria that at a time other parts of the civilised world were closing the gender gap, a frontline communications company was working hard to widen the divide.
“Let me state without equivocation that if this matter is not redressed urgently, then we will mobilise all married women and those who believe in equity and equality to stop using the services of Glo. Without a doubt, married women across Nigeria are contributing immensely to the growth of the company and to know wake up one morning to sack your staff simply because they are married is abominable.
“If I may ask, are the married women incapable of carrying out their functions effectively? Is Glo saying it is not an equal opportunity employer? Is Glo insinuating by this development that women in its employ are used for other purposes which are unlawful and illegal?
“We need answers to these vexatious questions. While we wait for the company to do say in the next 72 hours, we call on the ministries of communications and justice as well as the National Assembly to direct that this anti-people, anti-women, a Ku Klux Clan-like policy be rescinded with immediate effect.”
