Women groups and stakeholders in the country’s political system have urged the National Assembly to expedite action for the swift passage of the Bill currently before it, which seeks to reserve political seats for women.
At a 3-day conference in Abuja, stakeholders said the speedy passage of the bill will assist in harnessing the potentials of women to enhance efforts to develop the country.
The conference organised by National Women Leadership Forum of Political parties in Nigeria (NWLFPPN) was in collaboration with office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Westminster’s Foundation for Democracy (WFD) and UK International Development.
The event also featured public presentation of the National Women Leaders Forum’s Operational guidelines.
The National Women leader of NWLFPPN Mrs. Amina Darasimi Bryhm said that the event is fundamental and critical in building women’s confidence and making sure that the bill is passed.
She urged all political leaders both at the state and National levels to demonstrate capacity for gender inclusiveness by supporting and making sure that the bill was passed before the 2027 general elections.
“This event is very important as it brings together key critical stakeholders. The passage of the seat Reservation Bill Is a critical step towards ensuring that women are adequately represented in the administrative and political structures”, she stated.
A resource person from Rwanda Mrs. Donna Karthazi gave an analogy on the efforts made in advancing the participation of Women in politics and governance in her country.
She said it took a concerted effort, intentional approach and holistic support from all stakeholders in Rwanda to achieve the milestone. She went further to say that Rwanda has about 45 percent women representation which is much larger than what Nigeria has.
An activist and former Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mrs Ene Obi frowned at what she called intimidation and humiliation meted to a member of the National Assembly, Sen. Natasha Uduaghan by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio. She decried the constant discriminatory actions against women by the Senate President and hinted that women will not take it lightly.
The Deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Kalu who sponsored the seat reservation bill and still championing the special seat bill appealed to women to always embrace dialogue at all times.
He acknowledged that the level of women representation in the Nigerian Parliament isadopt persuasion abysmal and unbearably embarrassing compared to other African countries, including Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa etc.
He advised that the women should approach rather than protest to achieve their political aims.
