Women Groups Mobilize Massive Support For Special Seats Bill

Ahead of Public Hearing by the Natioal Assembly on Special Seats Bill for Women in Parliament come ,July 2025,the League of Women Voters of Nigeria,NILOWV,in Collaboration with Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ ,RACE Africa and Inclusive Skill initiative are building formideable force aimed at correcting the persistent imbalance in women’s political participation

Speaking at a Media Parley in Abuja,the National President,NILOWV, Hon.Irene Awunah-ikyegh stressed the need for collective commitment towards continous engagament and public enlighenment as well as the benefits of the bill in fostering democratic process in the country.

Hon.Awunah-ikyegh who decried low women representation at National Assembly,added that the bill aims to reserve elective seats for 74 women in the parliaments which has been projected to manifest dividends of good governance.

“We are strategizing massively, mobilizing support of grassroot to ensure this bill will not suffer the fate of other similiar bills,about 5 of such thrown out in previous National Assembly.”

“This new campaign is focusing on the grassroots to ensure massive support for the bill is obtained as well as the buy in of women because that is where voting takes place”

On her part,The National Chairperson of NIgeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ,Aisha Ibrahim represented by the National Vice President ,Zone D,Mrs Chizoba Ogbeche reiterated the commitment of NAWOJ and media towards effective advocacy of the bill to scale through,adding that it would benefit all and sundry .

Mrs Ogbeche who further explained the need for strong legislative backing of the bill,added that NAWOJ is fully committed in the campaign as the flag off campaign has been stepped down across all 36 states of the federation were the Association is situated,also urged for more advovacy and the need for Nigerians to be actively involved in the process and ask questions on clarity of any aspect of the bill .

“This Media parley is to set the tone for mass mobilization of Nigerians to support the bill..it is an opportunity to place Nigeria on the global map of inclusive democratic governance”

Also Speaking, A representative from RACE Africa,Evelyn Ugbe while clarifying the misconception about the bill that alleges that when passed will serve only the interest of elites,noting that it is all inclusive and will benefit every woman and girls interest.

On her part, Executive Director of lnclusive Skill intiative,Angelina Ugben reaffirmed commitment of their organisation towards speedy actualization of the bill aimed at promoting inclusive governance.

This grassroot campaign supported by UN Women will run across 9 states including FCT,Gombe,Benue ,Lagos,Abia ,Yobe,Akwa ibom,Rivers, Bauchi