Damasus, who is also a women rights activist, condemned the senate’s decision in a statement.
“This is totally unacceptable! We must go to every government representative to show them how bad and unacceptable it is.
“If every woman who is a mother, wife, sister, aunt or even neighbour to any senator, governor, minister … cannot speak to them about this, then, let us all go to bed,’’ she said.
Damasus said it was time for every woman to be involved in the struggle for their collective interests, instead of living it as the responsibility of a few concerned ones.
“If every African woman cannot rise up to fight for their rights, and the rights of their daughters, then, why should anyone listen or care?.”
“I am tired of seeing the same people fight for the rights of women and children, risking their lives every day, while others act like they do not care”, she said.
The actress said that the cause for women would be lost if women did not stand united and speak with one voice in their bid to fight against marginalisation.
The bill seeking gender equality, sponsored by the Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, Biodun Olujimi, was rejected by the Senate over alleged constitutional violations.
This is the third time the Gender Equality Bill is being rejected by the National Assembly, and the recent rejection has generated a lot of reactions from women right groups.
However, Senate President Bukola Saraki tried to placate women on Wednesday by saying that the bill can be represented.