Katsina Assembly Supports Bill for Women's Special Seats

The Katsina State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Nasiru Daura, has expressed support for the expedited passage of a bill proposing special seats for women. This announcement was made on Thursday, following a petition from a group of women led by Baraka Suleiman, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).

The petition, presented on March 23, 2025, emphasizes the urgent need for improved women's participation in governance, noting that women constitute nearly half of Nigeria's population but remain significantly underrepresented in elected positions, with representation below five percent. The proposed bill seeks to create additional seats for women in the National Assembly and state houses, similar to systems in Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda.

The group urged lawmakers to reject any attempts to delay or weaken the bill, aligning it with Nigeria's international obligations to eliminate discrimination against women. Speaker Daura assured the group that the matter would receive the necessary attention, and there is hope for the bill to secure the governor's assent soon.