The Ekiti State House of Assembly said it has passed the Equal Opportunities Bill into Law to protect the economic and social rights of the physically challenged, retarded and other vulnerable groups in the state.

The Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, presided over the plenary session on Thursday.

The bill, among others, prescribes two-year jail term, without an option of fine, for any person convicted for sexually abusing a retarded or physically challenged person.

The passage of the bill followed a public hearing conducted by the Assembly on Wednesday, when the input of stakeholders and members of the public were collated.

The executive bill, granting equal opportunities to all, was initiated by the wife of the governor, Mrs. Bisi Fayemi.

The bill, which prohibits all forms of gender-based discriminations and inequalities in public and private institutions, was sponsored by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment.

It passed through the third reading after being presented to the House by the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Ayo Fatunbi, on Thursday.

The bill, which is presently awaiting the assent of the Governor Kayode Fayemi, is expected to protect the economic and social rights of widows, widowers and elderly citizens of the state.