Two lobby groups in court over gender rule implementation

Two Non-Governmental Organizations have moved to court over the failure by the National Assembly to pass the two-thirds gender Bill.

The Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) and community Advocacy and Awareness Trust (CRAWN TRUST) want the court to direct Parliament and the Attorney General to take steps to ensure that the required legislation is enacted before the next General Election.

“The more than two-thirds gender rule principle in relation to membership of the National Assembly and the Senate has to be implemented before the next General Election,” states the petitioners.

In the documents filed in court Monday afternoon, the lobby groups argue that Parliament has no powers to make a further extension concerning the matter.

They argue that the extended constitutional deadline for the enactment of the legislation lapsed on August 27 this year.

They further claim that the failure by Parliament to enact the legislation contemplated under Articles 27(6) and (80) and 81(b), amounts to the rights of women to equality and freedom from discrimination and a violation of the Constitution.

Through their lawyer, Dismus Wabola, the petitioners claim that following the failure of Parliament to enact a mechanism to implement the two-thirds gender principle, the country is facing the possibility of a constitutional crisis which will affect the outcome of the next General Election.

The matter will be heard Tuesday.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Speaker of Senate and the Attorney General have been named as respondents in the case.