The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu wants his colleagues to go beyond their traditional responsibilities of lawmaking, and evolve other means that will bring women inclusiveness in governance and politics of the country.
Kalu said this while addressing an audience at a roundtable meeting on “Inspiring Inclusion: Building Bridges and Empowering Women in Politics”, held in Abuja, the Nigerian capital city.
The Deputy Speaker said, “Beyond enacting of laws that promote women inclusion, we must also cultivate a culture
of inclusivity within legislative bodies by building a
supportive environment, amplifying women’s voices, and challenging discriminatory practices”.
The under representation of women in politics and parliaments have continued to generate conversations, despite global agitations for more women inclusion, Nigerian women still remain relegated to the background in the country’s political landscape and decision making processes.
This has necessitated the convening of a meeting of female legislators from the National Assembly, State Houses of Assembly, the Civil Society community as well as other key players, to help promote conversations around advancing women’s political participation in Nigeria.
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Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, noted that it should be ensured that women elected through seat
reservations are empowered to effectively represent the interests of their constituents.
Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Samuela Isopi, explained that the ongoing constitutional reform process presents Nigeria a unique opportunity to join other nations in promoting gender parity.
The Executive Director, Policy And Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC), Clement Nwankwo, urged representatives of the 10th National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly to take very seriously, educating their members on the need to get more women in politics.
The event with the theme, “Women’s Under Representation: Exploring The Use Of Temporary Special Measures To Elect Women Into Parliaments”, is part of activities planned by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), with support from the European Union (EU) to commemorate the International Women’s Month.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
