Women demand passage of special seats bill

Women groups under the aegis of Women Political Participation (WPP) on Monday protested at the National Assembly calling for passage of the Special Seats Bill for women.

The women in their numbers, carrying various placards called for swift passage of the bill to allow inclusion of more women in parliament in the next assembly.

The special seats bill is one of the 44 prioritised constitution alteration bills awaiting final voting by the National Assembly.

The bill seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for seat reservation for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

It intends to remedy the low representation of women in Legislative Houses by providing for special constituencies to be contested and filled by women as a temporary measure to promote women’s political representation.

Speaking during the protest, one of the leaders, Ene Obi, said the peaceful solidarity march was a collective civic call for inclusive representation and gender-responsive governance in the country.

She applauded lawmakers over the progress of the proposed legislation.

Also speaking, the representative of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Rahila Dauda called on the National Assembly to pass the bill in order to save Nigeria the shame of poor female representation in the legislative and other arms of government.

“We are in total support of the bill, the special seats and we urge the National Assembly to join with us by passing this bill. It is wrong of our view because it is a shame that a country like Nigeria, which more than half of the population are women, unfortunately only about 5 or 4 are in the National Assembly and the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Lois Auta called for, 5% reservation of special seats for women with disabilities and girls as provided for in the Disability Act.

Auta said, “we are here to ask for our rights.Rights for inclusion. Rights for representation. Rights for participation in governance. In the Disability Act, 5% is enshrined for every person with disabilities, including women and girls with disabilities.

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