Women Leaders Push for Special Seats Bill in Nigeria

On Tuesday, women leaders in Benue State called for the swift passage of a bill aimed at reserving special seats for women in Nigeria's political institutions. This initiative was presented during a visit to the Makurdi home of two federal lawmakers, Hon.

Dickson Tarkighir and Asema Achado. Ladi Ruth Kpengwa, the state chairperson of the League of Women Voters Nigeria (NILOWV), emphasized the stark underrepresentation of women in governance, noting that despite women constituting nearly half of Nigeria's population, they hold less than 5% of elected positions, one of the lowest rates globally.

The proposed bill seeks to establish additional seats reserved for women in national and state assemblies, drawing inspiration from successful models in Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda. Kpengwa stressed that this reform is crucial to correct historical imbalances, strengthen democratic institutions, and fulfill Nigeria's commitments to international treaties such as CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol.

She urged lawmakers to mobilize support for the bill and resist any attempts to weaken its provisions.