Nigeria’s House of Representatives has called on the leadership and members of political parties in the country to support the move to increase women participation in politics through the reserved seats for women bill.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara made this call when she led members of the Advocacy Group for the Reserved Seats for Women Bill to the Labour Party headquarters in Abuja.
Ogbara explained that the proposed legislation, which will reserve over 70 seats in the National Assembly for women, is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s democracy by deepening representation at all levels of government, emphasizing that political parties as critical stakeholders, will play a major role in achieving the feat
The committee chairman added that the push for more women in politics is not about self-interest but a move that will enhance national growth and development, revealing that 14 states currently have no female representatives in the National Assembly with some state assemblies even assigning men as chairmen of Women Affairs Committees.
National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, pledged the party’s support for the proposed legislation, explaining that without intentional efforts either through political parties, government policy, or legislation women will remain relegated to the background in Nigeria’s political space.
Abure noted that cultural and economic biases have over the years continued to hold women back in politics, calling on government at all levels and political parties to take deliberate steps to increase women representation in governance.
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He revealed that the Labour Party has consistently supported female candidates and demonstrated this by securing seats for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives in the 2023 election.
The party chairman told the group that women currently hold sensitive leadership roles within the party, with four female as members of the National Working Committee, and five state chairmen, many of whom he said, are outperforming their male counterparts.
Abure maintained that the party’s support for the bill is part of its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy through inclusive and gender sensitive representation.
(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
