By: George Ozalla
Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has made a strong case for the passage of the Seat Reservation for Women Bill, emphasizing its importance for national prosperity.
Speaking at a three-day workshop in Abuja yesterday, Kalu expressed concern over the underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s legislative bodies.
He highlighted the alarming fact that 15 states in Nigeria have no female lawmakers, and women make up only 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives. He described these figures as “a stain on our collective conscience and a barrier to national progress.”
The popular Seat Reservation for Women Bill, sponsored by Kalu, seeks to reserve specific number of seats only for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly. The bill proposes a well structured temporary special measure, reviewable after 16 years practice, to accelerate gender parity. Kalu emphasized that, “this is not a permanent quota but a catalytic intervention modeled after successful initiatives in countries like Rwanda and Senegal”.
Kalu stressed that nations with balanced gender representation achieve higher GDP growth, better healthcare outcomes, and more innovative policymaking. He noted that closing the gender gap could increase Nigeria’s GDP by 9% by the end of 2025.
He then urged various women’s groups to accelerate their advocacy efforts, mobilize supports from political parties, and engage state houses of assembly, traditional leaders, media, civil society organisations and grassroots networks.
He encouraged Nigerians to make their input and support the passage of the bill, emphasizing that collective diplomatic and persuasive action is required to address this national issue.
Other speakers at the event, including Hon. Amina Darasimi Bryhm, President of the National Women Leaders Forum of Political Parties, and Mrs. Josephine Anenih, former Minister for Women Affairs, emphasized the need for synergy, increased advocacy, diplomacy and lobbying to achieve fair seat reservation for women.
Mrs. Josephine Anenih stated, “What we are doing here today is the way to go. We tried since this democratic dispensation since 1999, we have been struggling to have women in the national assembly and state houses of assembly, but the political parties and the society have not come down to making it happen, and because they believe that politics is a male-dominated domain where women have no business falling into, but that is wrong, that is impeding our development seriously.”
Me Donnah Kamashazi, a Gender, Human Rights & Democratisation Expert, presented a case study on Rwanda’s experience with women’s special seats in parliament. She highlighted the importance of addressing fundamental rights, such as land ownership and body integrity, to ensure effective participation of women in politics.
Hajia Inna Maryam Ciroma, former Minister for Women Affairs, emphasized the need for unity among Nigerian women, regardless of political party or religion. She stressed that women’s issues are national issues that require collective action.
Sola Folayan, Programme Manager at the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, noted that the era of women not supporting women is over. She emphasized that more women are now united in their pursuit of fair representation and empowerment.
Ms Ene Obi, Barr Ebere Ifendu, Senators Olujimi Abiodun, Sen Ireti Kingibe and some other notable women and men attended the event.
