Women group urges passage of special seats bill

Women advocates under the Africa Faith and Justice Network have called on the National Assembly to urgently pass the Special Seats Bill aimed at boosting women’s participation in politics.

The group warned that delays could shut women out of the 2027 general elections.

The women maintained that increased representation of women in governance would strengthen democratic outcomes and national development, urging lawmakers to act swiftly to ensure the bill is passed and assented to before the 2027 electoral process gains momentum.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Coordinator of AFJN’s Women Empowerment Project, Sister Eucharia Madueke, said the proposed legislation was critical to ensuring inclusive participation, noting that time was running out as political parties prepare for primaries.

“There is a bill presently in the National Assembly that will give an easy passage for women to participate in the 2027 election. However, we are racing against time. Political parties will soon start conducting their primaries, and the bill is still there, not yet assented to,” she said.

Madueke lamented difficulties in engaging key committees of the National Assembly but vowed that the group would continue advocacy efforts.

She urged the media to amplify the demands for the bill’s passage.

“We are now throwing it back to you, media people, to circulate this. You are the only ones that can help us highlight our voice,” she added.

Madueke argued that affirmative action, including the creation of special seats, was necessary to enable women to compete effectively in Nigeria’s political space.

“The kind of affirmative action we are asking for is not for women to compete with men. We want our women to compete among themselves so that we are able to catch up,” she said, adding that structural barriers, including the nature of political engagement, often disadvantage women.

She also called for reforms to make political participation more accommodating, including safer environments and more flexible schedules.

“A woman who wants to participate also has responsibilities at home. So, create a violence-free and conducive environment,” she said.

Also speaking, AFJN Legal Officer, Dr Amaka Ilochgwe, said Nigeria had both legal and moral obligations under international conventions to promote gender equality in governance.

“Nigeria is a state party to several international treaties. There is an obligation to protect, promote and fulfil these commitments,” she said.

She noted that although Nigeria has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, it is yet to fully domesticate and implement its provisions.

“ Reserving seats for women is backed by law, including the 35 per cent affirmative action policy. The National Assembly should not hesitate in passing this bill,” Ilochgwe added.

The special seats bill seeks to alter the 1999 Constitution to create 74 additional seats for women in the National Assembly and corresponding seats in state houses of assembly, as part of measures to address Nigeria’s longstanding gender imbalance in political representation.

The bill has already passed second reading in the House of Representatives.