The House of Representatives has held an International Legislative Dialogue On Women and Constitution Amendment.
The event brought together legislators, policymakers, political leaders, traditional and faith leaders, women’s groups, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders.
The dialogue aims to address the barriers that hinder women’s political advancement and strategise for sustainable change.
The President of the Nigerian Senate, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, while addressing the dialogue, called for the recognition of the pivotal role women play in the development of democracy in Nigeria.
He said that woman’s role in shaping the future is commendable.
“We believe that the progress of our nation hinges on the active participation of all its citizens, especially women. The tenth Senate has made significant strides in supporting women empowerment. We have passed legislations aimed at combating gender based violence, ensuring that women can live free from fear and oppression. We have taken steps to increase women representation in decision making bodies, including introduction of gender quotas in political party nominations” Akpabio said.
He said also that the Senate would continue to ensure that the voices of women are heard across the country.
Encouraging signs of gender inclusion
In his Keynote address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas said that around the world, and particularly in Africa, there are encouraging examples of gender inclusion.
“Rwanda, with over 60 per cent women representation in its parliament, has shown us that robust, intentional policies work. South Africa, Namibia, and Senegal have all taken significant strides toward inclusivity, reshaping their political landscapes in ways Nigeria can learn from. These countries have demonstrated the profound impact of women’s perspectives on governance and development.
“For Nigeria, the current numbers are disheartening. Since 1999, women’s representation in our National Assembly has remained disappointingly low. Despite notable contributions from Nigerian women across various sectors, only 20 of the 469 seats in our National Assembly are occupied by women. This stark gap speaks not of a lack of capable women but of institutional barriers we must dismantle. Some view increased women’s representation as a threat to the status quo. But, ladies and gentlemen, inclusion is not displacement, it is a partnership. Women’s presence complements the contributions of men, enriching the policy-making process. If we trust women to shape our homes, nurture our families, and educate our children, we must trust them to contribute to shaping our nation’s future” Mr Abbas said.
He noted that affirmative action policies to increase women’s representation are not undemocratic.
“On the contrary, they are deeply aligned with democratic principles. The Inter-Parliamentary Union and the African Union uphold affirmative action as a mechanism to correct historical inequities, enabling all voices to contribute to a truly representative democracy. The Universal Declaration on Democracy, adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, affirms that democracy thrives where there is a partnership between men and women. This declaration should serve as a guiding principle in our legislative process” he said.
He added that “As lawmakers, we are responsible for advancing policies that reflect the values of fairness and equity. I am proud to state that this 10th House has prioritised inclusivity in our Legislative Agenda. I have directed the Constitution Review Committee to focus on reforms that promote gender equity and provide additional or reserved seats for women in our legislative bodies.
We must work towards joint ticketing in elections, reserved seats, and conferring equal citizenship rights to foreigners married to Nigerian women”.
He however noted that reform is a collective responsibility, and we cannot simply issue communiqués or promises.
“We must translate today’s dialogue into real, actionable outcomes. The Constitution Review Committee has engaged with key institutions, including the judiciary and Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies, and received submissions from citizens and stakeholders across the country. Now, we must build on those consultations and rise with actionable models of inclusion that reflect Nigeria’s unique context.
“Today, as we confront the realities that restrict women’s political participation, it is essential to understand the scale and urgency of this issue. Data from the recent 2023 general elections highlights the scope of this challenge: 18 political parties fielded a staggering 15,307 candidates.
“However, of these candidates, only 1,552 were women. This sharp contrast is not just a statistic; it is a stark reminder of the societal, structural, and political barriers that continue to inhibit women’s full participation in our democracy” he said.
The Speaker added that indeed, inclusive governance is not merely an equity issue; it is a strategic imperative.
Advancing women’s political inclusion
The Deputy Speaker of the House and chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Mr. Benjamin Kalu, said that the gathering serves as a reaffirmation of the House collective dedication to advancing women’s political representation and inclusion.
He noted that recognizing the benefits the House of Representatives has made in constitutional reforms is a cornerstone of its legislative agenda.
The Deputy Speaker also said that countries with higher women’s
representation in governance consistently show higher rates of progress in health, education, and economic stability.
He added that NIgeria stands to gain immensely from a legislature that reflects the diverse makeup of its citizenry and values contributions from all perspectives.
He recognised the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for their strategic support and substantial investment, not only in the critical dialogue but in the broader mission of advancing and strengthening Nigeria’s legislative framework.
There were goodwill messages from the wife of the Nigerian president, Mrs. Remi Tinubu, Executive Director Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, PLAC, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the UNDP and other stakeholders.
Emmanuel Ukoh
Comments are closed.