UNDP Backs Women Reserved Seats Bill

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has thrown its weight behind the Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently before the House of Representatives.

Resident Representative of UNDP Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah gave the support while briefing journalists at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Tuesday.

Attafuah said UNDP is committed to providing the technical support, policy advisory and convening power required to build momentum behind the bill.

She said in the weeks ahead, UNDP will deepen its engagement; mobilising civic education, fostering cross-party dialogue and supporting public advocacy to ensure the bill moves from promise to policy.

According to her, the bill is not just a legislative proposal but a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, commending the 10th National Assembly for the initiative.

“Despite making up nearly half of Nigeria’s population, women currently occupy fewer than 5% of seats in the National Assembly. This isn’t just a gap, it is a call to action. A call to dismantle structural barriers, disrupt the status quo, and build a more inclusive and just governance system.

“The Reserved Seats Bill is a transformative response to that call. It affirms the principle that women belong at the table, not as guests, but as decision-makers. Not as exceptions, but as equals.

“UNDP is proud to partner with the National Assembly through the Parliamentary Development Programme, a four-year initiative that seeks to strengthen institutional capacity, deepen democratic practice, and ensure inclusive governance.

“A cornerstone of this programme is the advancement of gender equality, not as a side agenda, but as a driver of sustainable development and democratic resilience.

“Here in Nigeria, we know that women are already leading in communities, delivering education, advocating for healthcare, sustaining families and building peace. What they need now are clear pathways into formal political leadership.

“The Reserved Seats Bill provides that pathway. UNDP stands fully behind this campaign. We are committed to providing the technical support, policy advisory, and convening power required to build momentum behind the bill,” Attafuah noted.