Nigeria women groups oresent bill seeking additional seats in national, state assemblies
The Coalition of Women-Led Organizations, has presented a gender bill to the Nigerian Senate Constitutional Review Committee Public Hearing in Kano, seeking one more seat in the National Assembly.
Presenting the draft bill to the Hearing, Dr Mohamed Mustapha Yahya, leading the coalition, presented the gender bill during the zonal public hearing by the Nigerian Senate held in Kano on Tuesday.
Organizations such as FIDA, RAPA, WACOL, PONGWAN, and WOWIKAN, want to secure additional seats for women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assemby
Dr Mustapha said their efforts are focused on addressing the severe under representation of women in the nation’s elected offices.
“The gender bill proposes several key measures, including the allocation of additional Senate seats. Specifically, the bill suggests one additional seat for women in all 37 states, including the FCT, which would result in 37 reserved seats for women in the Senate.”
“Another crucial proposal within the gender bill pertains to the House of Representatives. The coalition advocates for one seat for every three senatorial districts, which would translate to 47 seats for women in the House of Representatives.”
Furthermore, the Leader of the women’s group said the bill proposes three additional seats for women in each state assembly, utilizing the three senatorial zones as a basis. This measure aims to ensure women’s representation at the state level as well.
Dr Yahya emphasized that the primary objective of the gender bill is to ensure women’s representation in governance.
He highlighted that women constitute 45-49% of Nigerian voters but are severely underrepresented in the National Assembly and state legislatures.
“Democracy is a game of numbers. If you look at it, women constitute over 45 to 49 percent of the Nigerian voters. But women are not represented.”
Habiba Ahmed, Senior Programs Officer of Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), urged the government to accept, pass, and fully implement the special reserved seat for women bill. She stressed the importance of this legislation for promoting women’s participation in governance.
Ahmed also emphasized the need for electoral reform, including an independent INEC chairman nomination process, to ensure free and fair electoral processes. This, she argued, is crucial for guaranteeing the effectiveness of the proposed gender bill.
“We are calling on the government to ensure that the special reserved seat for women bill is being accepted, passed, and followed up to be fully implemented so that we see women’s full participation in politics and in governance.”
