By Ramat Ayo Ismail
The League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), Kwara State chapter, in partnership with a coalition of other women’s groups, on Tuesday staged a peaceful rally to solicit the support of National Assembly members for the creation of special seats for women in Kwara State’s three senatorial districts
.
The coalition includes the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), National Council of Women Societies in Nigeria (NCWS), among others
.
While presenting a petition letter to the member representing Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ahmed Yinka Aluko, at Sango area, the NILOWV Kwara State Chairperson, Hajia Biliqis Modupe Oladimeji, explained that the rally was in support of a constitutional amendment bill seeking the creation of special constituencies for women candidates.
Oladimeji noted that the proposed bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, aims to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in elective positions
.
She stated that women currently occupy less than five per cent of seats in the National Assembly, describing the situation as a major democratic deficit that requires urgent attention.
According to her, the bill proposes 37 additional seats in the Senate (one for each state and the Federal Capital Territory) to be contested exclusively by women. It also seeks 37 additional seats in the House of Representatives, as well as three extra seats for women in each State House of Assembly.
Oladimeji emphasised that the passage of the bill would significantly enhance women’s political participation and representation in governance and decision-making.
“It will also align Nigeria with global commitments, particularly Goal 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on gender equality, as well as the African Union’s Agenda 2063,” she said.
She urged the lawmakers to champion the bill and mobilise support among their colleagues to ensure its speedy passage, stressing that inclusive governance would strengthen national development and deepen democracy
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In her remarks, the President of the National Council of Women Societies, Hajia Mariam Yusuf, presented the petition letter to the lawmaker representing Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Hon. Muktar Tolani Shagaya
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She said the visit was to solicit the lawmaker’s support for the passage of the bill, which seeks reserved seats for more women in Nigeria’s legislative institutions
.
“We are here today to express our grievances over the inadequate representation of women and the gender imbalance in the country’s decision-making process,” she said.
Also speaking, the former Amirah of FOMWAN, Hajia Labaika, called for greater inclusion of women in politics, declaring: “What a man can do, a woman can do better.”
In an interview, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Hajia Bashirat Bola Ayantola-Bello, advocated for gender equality and adequate representation of women in leadership and decision-making.
“We are gathered here today to urge our House of Representatives members to always champion the cause of women by supporting the special seats bill,” she said.
Receiving the petition on behalf of Hon. Ahmed Yinka Aluko, Alhaji Muftau Akanbi-Oke assured the women that their request would be conveyed to the lawmakers with the necessary support.
