By Nafisat Makinde
A recent dialogue session on the Special Seats Bill for Women highlighted the stark reality of female underrepresentation in Nigeria’s legislative bodies. Despite making up a significant portion of the population, women hold only 4.5% of seats in the National Assembly and 4.7% in State Houses of Assembly.
In the current 10th National Assembly, there are only 4 women in the Senate and 17 in the House of Representatives, out of a total of 469 legislators. At the state level, a mere 48 women were elected into the Houses of Assembly in 2023, out of over 1,000 female candidates. Thirteen states have no female legislators at all.
The Minister of Women Affairs, represented by Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim, APC Woman Leader, emphasized the need for urgent action to address this disparity. “If not women, who? If not now, when will justice finally come?” she conveyed, highlighting the importance of the Special Seats Bill in promoting gender equality and inclusive governance.
The dialogue session acknowledged the efforts of key stakeholders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dr. Tajudeen Abbas, and the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for their commitment to advancing the Special Seats Bill. The Chairpersons of the Women Affairs Committees, Senator Ireti Kingibe and Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, were also commended for their tireless work in promoting women’s rights and representation.
The Special Seats Bill is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring that women’s voices are represented in the legislative process. By increasing female representation, the bill aims to promote sustainable development, inform policy, and nurture peace.
As Nigeria strives for a more inclusive and equitable society, the current state of female representation in politics serves as a reminder of the long journey ahead. Will the Special Seats Bill be a turning point in this journey? Only time will tell.
