Lagos Women to Take over Husband’s Property after Death

The Lagos State Government is currently working on a bill that would protect women against all forms of discrimination and empower them to take custody of properties belonging to their husbands when he is no more.

The proposed bill, which has passed through the first reading on the floor, prohibits persons or bodies or any representatives of such person or bodies to either through words, actions or inactions, omissions, laws, regulations, administrative procedures, policies guidelines, rules and customs discriminate against any person irrespective of their status in Lagos State.

“The bill which has 46 sections states that “a widow shall have the right to an equitable share in the inheritance of the property of her husband and shall have the right to continue to live in the matrimonial house after the death of her husband”.

The bill also provides that every person, body, or educational institution shall have the responsibility to modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women with a view to achieving gender equality and equity. The section also explains that widow should not be subjected to inhuman humiliating or degrading treatments.

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Section 27, under right to choose citizenship, the bill states that every organization or agency of government public or private institutions, commercial or other entity shall not deny women and men equal rights to acquire, change or retain their citizenships and in particular, shall ensure that neither marriage divorce nor widowhood deny a woman the right to choose or retain her citizenship and identity and she shall have the choice, without hindrances to retain her maiden name while married to a man from another Local Government area or State should not be used against a woman.

Section 21 of the bill stipulates that every person, body or representatives of a person or body shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women irrespective of the status in the field of employment, occupation or profession, and ensure, on the basis of equality of men and women without prejudice to the provisions of section 16 of this law.