The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly , Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye says a major way to deepen and strengthen democracy is full autonomy of the legislature across the country. Aribasoye who hosted a veteran female lawmaker, Rt. Hon Elizabeth Ativie who paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Monday pointed out that the absence of the legislature readily signifies the absence of democracy hence the need to put it where it belongs and where it deserves. The Ekiti Speaker reeled out the several legislations made along the path of gender protection in Ekiti state adding that the state has carved a niche for itself in the area of gender parity and women emancipation. The visiting lawmaker, Ativie applauded the 7th Ekiti Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Aribasoye as exemplary, gender sensitive and people oriented. She also described the Deputy Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bolaji Olagbaju, who recently emerged the Chairperson of the Conference of Female Parliamentarians in Nigeria, CONFEPA, as an asset to Ekiti State and the fold of female lawmakers across the country. Ativie, a former speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and pioneer chairperson of CONFEPA said the Ekiti Deputy Speaker is a product of a state reputed for attaching value to the protection and development of women. According to her, Ekiti state is famous across Nigeria for its favourable legislations for women and significant inclusion of the feminine gender in all arms and tiers of government across the state. -Babajide Agbeyo Special Adviser on Media to the Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly.