Kalu Backs Special Seats For Women In Parliament

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called for the urgent passage of the Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), stating that it is fundamentally about justice, strategy, and national prosperity.

Kalu made this call at a three-day workshop on the public presentation of the National Women Leaders Forum‘s operational guidelines and the roles of political parties in the passage of seat reservations for women bills (HB1349) in Abuja on Monday.

He highlighted the alarming fact that 15 states in Nigeria currently have no female lawmakers, lamenting that at the national level, women comprise only 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives.

The Deputy Speaker emphasised that this underrepresentation is not merely a statistical anomaly but also a barrier to national progress.

Kalu explained that the measure is temporary, expected to run for four terms, and is modelled after successful initiatives in countries like Rwanda and Senegal, where women‘s representation has increased to over 40%.

He stated: Democracy thrives not merely through elections, but through inclusion. When half of our population remains underrepresented in halls of power, our democracy is not just weakened—it is incomplete. Today, 15 states in Nigeria have no elected women in their assemblies. At the national level, women comprise a meagre 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives. These figures are not just statistics; they are a stain on our conscience and a barrier to national progress.

The Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), which I proudly sponsor, seeks to alter this narrative. By reserving seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, we aim to dismantle systemic barriers and create a legislature that reflects the diversity of our nation. This is not about charity but justice, strategy, and national prosperity.

“As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, I spearheaded efforts to ensure our foundational law reflects 21st-century realities. HB1349 proposes a structured temporary special measure—reserved seats for women, to be reviewed after 16 years—to accelerate gender parity.

“This is not a permanent quota but a catalytic intervention, modelled after nations like Rwanda and Senegal, where similar measures have boosted women’s representation to over 40%.“

Kalu also urged various women‘s groups to enhance their advocacy efforts, mobilise support from political parties, and engage state assemblies, traditional leaders, and grassroots networks.

He encouraged Nigerians to provide their input and support the passage of HB1349, stressing that this is not just a „women‘s issue“ but a national issue that requires collective action.