• Canvases for Women Inclusion in Politics

• Safiu Kehinde

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, says four gender justice bills have been proposed in advocacy for more women representation in politics.

Kalu made this disclosure at the International Legislative Dialogue on Women and Constitution Amendment in Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.

The dialogue was organised by the House Committee on Constitution Review in collaboration with Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) with support from the European Union (EU)

Speaking at the event, the lawmaker called for the removal of barriers hindering women’s political advancement in the country.

He said that giving women opportunities to participate in the parliamentary activities and in the governance processes will only birth a legislature that reflects the diverse makeup of Nigerian citizenry.

According to the lawmaker, giving women opportunities will add more values and bring immense benefits to the general society.

Kalu who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review decried the poor number of women fielded as candidates in the last 2023 general elections.

According to him, having 1,552 as women in the elections that produced 15,307 candidates by 18 political parties was not encouraging in any way.

The deputy speaker, therefore, called for support to the gender bills that are before the parliament to enable women make their contributions to the political development of the country.

“I am honored to lead the House Committee on Constitution Review, where we have
proposed bills aimed at correcting the gender imbalance within government at all levels.

One such critical bill, “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Seat Reservation for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly” (HB 1349), alongside four other gender justice bills, are under consideration.

“This proposed legislation is designed to remedy the low representation of women by creating additional seats specifically for female candidates in national and state legislatures,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Mr Zissimos Vergos, Deputy Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, underscored the importance of women’s representation in governance saying that it is both a fundamental right and a driver of inclusive growth.

He said that the active participation of women at all levels of decision-making and politics is essential to the achievement of equality, sustainable development, peace, and democracy.

Vergos said that women’s equal participation in power and decision-making roles is part of their fundamental right to participate in political life, and sits at the core of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The ambassador said that, despite global progress, women remain underrepresented in government, often facing significant barriers to accessing and exercising political power.

Vergos said that the ongoing constitutional reform process in Nigeria presents a timely opportunity to implement an inclusive legal framework that promotes equal political participation, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or disability status.

“Women’s participation in politics helps advance gender equality and affects both the range of policy issues that are considered and the types of solutions proposed.

“Women’s political leadership may not be the only answer to sustainable development, but it underscores the invaluable contributions women offer when given equal opportunities to men.

“We must strive for a society where every woman not only feels safe to survive but is empowered to thrive,” he said.

Vergos urged stakeholders to adopt special measures to foster a more inclusive governance process, saying that Nigeria now has a unique opportunity to join progressive nations in promoting gender equality through constitutional reforms.