Women Groups Demand Passage of Reserved Seats Bill

On a date not specified, women groups, including the Coalition Women Group, led by Merci Aikoy, staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to pass the women reserved seats bill. This bill seeks to amend the constitution to provide reserved seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.

The bill is one of 44 constitutional amendment proposals awaiting a final vote in the National Assembly. Obi, a former convenor of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, commended the lawmakers for their progress and urged them to expedite the bill's passage, emphasizing the need for increased female representation in legislative houses.

Rahila Dauda from the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) called on the National Assembly to pass the bill to avoid further shame for Nigeria due to poor female representation. Loi Auta advocated for five reserved special seats for women with disabilities, highlighting the importance of inclusivity.

The protest was characterized by a commitment to non-violence and orderliness.