The Kaduna State Chapter of the National Council for Women’s Societies (NCWS) has called on the House of Representatives to expedite the passage of the bill seeking reserved seats for women in Nigeria’s legislative bodies.
The appeal was made during a visit to the lawmaker representing Kaduna North, Bello El-Rufai, at his constituency office on Tuesday.
Led by the State President of NCWS, Barrister Zainab Hassan, the delegation formally presented a petition urging immediate legislative action on the long-pending bill.
Barrister Hassan, who was accompanied by leaders of various women’s groups in the state, stressed that the demand reflects the growing insistence of Nigerian women on inclusive governance and equitable representation in decision-making processes.
“We are here to submit our petition concerning the reserved seats for women, which is yet to be passed. We want Bello El-Rufai to facilitate the passage of the bill,” she stated.
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Highlighting the pivotal role women play in Nigeria’s electoral process, Hassan noted that women remain a critical voting bloc, consistently turning out during elections under all conditions.
“Come rain or shine, women always come out to vote. We are the voters in Nigeria. You will see women, even with their children, waiting patiently to vote for candidates of their choice,” Barrister Hassan said.
She emphasised that the petition marks a shift in advocacy—from appeals to firm demands for inclusion.
“This petition carries significant weight because women are no longer begging. We are urging lawmakers to pass the bill immediately so that women can be fully included in lawmaking in Nigeria,” Barrister Hassan said.
She further said that the rally and petition submission are part of a coordinated nationwide action taking place across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), underscoring the unity and commitment behind the movement.
The mobilisation, she explained, highlights the urgency of addressing gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political space and ensuring women have a stronger voice in governance.