Women Groups Upbeat On Passage Of Reserved Seats Bill

Women’s rights organisations and gender inclusion advocates have expressed confidence that the National Assembly will pass the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, describing the proposal as a critical step towards addressing Nigeria’s longstanding gender imbalance in political representation.

The groups, which have intensified advocacy efforts in support of the constitutional amendment, said recent developments in the House of Representatives indicate that the bill is closer to passage than ever before.

During a rally at the National Assembly last Thursday, leaders of several women’s organisations urged lawmakers to seize what they described as a historic opportunity to deepen democracy and strengthen inclusive governance.

The national chair of the Women’s Political Participation Technical Working Group (TWG), Ebere Ifendu, said that although the bill was not voted on during Thursday’s plenary session, it remains on the House order paper and is expected to be considered when lawmakers resume from recess on July 7.

According to Ifendu, the bill was not called for a vote due to time constraints arising from debates on other constitutional amendment bills and delays caused by disagreements on the House floor.

She noted, however, that a major development in the amendment process is the inclusion of two reserved Senate seats for women in each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, bringing the proposed number of additional seats in the upper legislative chamber to 12.

“The Special Seats Bill remains on the order paper and will be considered when the Assembly resumes. We remain optimistic and committed to engaging lawmakers and the media to ensure its passage,” she said in a statement issued after the plenary.

She commended the House of Representatives for advancing the constitutional review process, particularly through the passage of the State Police Bill, and called on lawmakers to support the Special Seats for Women Bill when it comes to a vote.

Also, President of the Nigeria League of Women Voters (NILOWV), Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, said there could be no better time to pass the legislation, stressing that increased female representation would lead to more inclusive policymaking and stronger democratic institutions.

“For us, there is no better time to pass this bill than now. Having more women in parliament is a sign that Nigeria wants inclusive policies and governance that reflects the diversity of its population,” she said.

Awunah-Ikyegh expressed confidence in the 10th National Assembly’s willingness to support the proposal.

On her part, veteran gender advocate and founder of Ene Obi Development Centre (EODC), Ene Obi, said women’s groups remain hopeful that lawmakers will support the measure, given the solidarity they have shown throughout the advocacy process.

“We are very optimistic that they will pass it this time because it will increase inclusion, and that is what we are looking for. The more women we have in governance, the better represented our society becomes,” Obi said.

She further pledged that women’s groups would continue supporting legislators who champion the bill and seek re-election in future electoral cycles.