By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigeria’s House of Representatives is considering a bill to reserve seats for women in the National Assembly, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu had announced.
“Presently, the House of Representatives is considering a bill to improve the representation of women in our legislative institutions sponsored by myself and other colleagues of mine”, Kalu representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State said in Owerri during a summit on Friday.
“We must acknowledge, however, that in a society striving for equitable development, addressing fundamental issues like gender equality and inclusiveness is imperative. In Nigeria, where women and girls constitute 49.32% of our population, the representation in institutions and governance needs urgent attention,” he said at the event with the theme: Illuminating the Power of an Inspired Woman.
Heritage Times HT recalls that this assurance comes two years after the National Assembly rejected about five (5) gender equality bills, seeking to create special seats for women in the federal legislative arm of government.
The bill failed after both chambers of the National Assembly voted on it.
It is entitled ‘Bill For an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly; and for related matters.’
While the house voted 81-208 to throw the bill out, the senate had a 30-58 vote.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Levinus Nwabughiogu, however, the deputy speaker said the bill is titled “Seat Reservation Bill”.
He sponsored the piece of legislation alongside some of his colleagues, the statement says.
The bill seeks to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide special seats for women in the legislature.
