(In Nigeria) Female lawmakers push bill for 182 reserved seats for women

 

The Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, Kafilat Ogbara, has urged Nigerians to support a new bill that proposes 182 additional legislative seats reserved exclusively for women. Speaking in Abuja, Ogbara stressed that the underrepresentation of women in elective positions across the country is damaging to the idea of inclusive governance. She called on stakeholders, civil society, and citizens to unite behind the bill to break historic barriers that have prevented women’s full participation in Nigerian politics. The bill proposes one reserved seat per state, including the Federal Capital Territory, for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives. It also suggests three additional reserved seats for women in every state House of Assembly. According to Ogbara, the aim is not just to increase numbers but to ensure that women’s perspectives and rights are reflected in policymaking, aligning with global goals like the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. Senator Ireti Kingibe of the FCT backed the proposal, saying more women in parliament will help unlock Nigeria’s full potential for sustainable development. She highlighted the effectiveness of women in leadership roles when given the opportunity. The proposal reflects growing calls for systemic reform in Nigeria’s political landscape, where women currently occupy less than 5% of legislative positions. Supporters of the bill argue that increasing female participation is essential for national growth and equity in governance.

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Support for the women-reserved seats bill is growing across key institutions. The United Nations Development Programme’s country representative, Elsie Attafuah, praised the leadership of Nigeria’s 10th National Assembly for championing the bill, describing it as a defining moment in the nation’s democratic development. She highlighted the low representation of women in the legislature under 5% and called it a serious challenge that must be addressed to build a more inclusive society. Attafuah also cited the example of Nigerian women succeeding in various sectors, including the Super Falcons' recent victory in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, as evidence of what women can achieve when given equal opportunity. Nikky Onyeri, Secretary-General of the Association of Women Traditional Title Holders in Nigeria, described the bill as both timely and necessary. She appealed to lawmakers and the executive to act swiftly in passing it. Onyeri expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s gender-friendly policies and said the strong support from the House leadership gives her hope that the bill will be enacted. The bill is seen as a proactive measure to fix the gender imbalance in Nigerian politics. Advocates believe that representation matters and that meaningful participation of women in decision-making roles will lead to more balanced policies and national development. By reserving specific seats for women, the legislation aims to give women a stronger voice in the legislative process and contribute to a more equitable future. The push for this bill comes amid wider global movements for gender equality in governance and public life. If passed, Nigeria would join a growing list of countries that have adopted affirmative action policies to boost female participation in politics.

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