Kalu Makes Case For Seat Reservation For Women Bill

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has made a strong case for the passage of the Seat Reservation for Women Bill, emphasizing its importance for national prosperity.

Speaking at a 3-Day workshop on public presentation of the national women leaders forum operational guidelines and the roles of political parties in the passage of the Seat reservation for women bill, Kalu who is also the Chairman house committee on the review of the 1999 constitution decried the absence of female lawmakers in 15 states and the underrepresentation of women in the National Assembly.

The lawmaker who noted that women make up only 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives said that the underrepresentation is not just a statistics anomaly but also a barrier to national progress.

Kalu who is also the sponsor of the bill explained that the proposed bill seeks to reserve seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers and create a legislature that mirrors the diversity of the nation.

He explained that the measure that is temporary is expected to run for 4 terms and modelled after successful initiatives in countries like Rwanda and Senegal, where women’s representation has increased to over 40%.

“Democracy thrives not merely through elections but through inclusion.”

“When half of our population remains underrepresented in halls of power, our democracy is not just weakened, it is incomplete, he said.”

Kalu urges women groups to accelerate their advocacy efforts and mobilize support from political parties, state assemblies, traditional leaders, and grassroots networks.

He also encouraged Nigerians to make their input and support the passage of the bill, stressing that it is a national issue that requires collective action.

“Public pressure must match political will, “Let us pass this bill not just for women but for a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous nation.”

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace