On Monday, 28 October 2024, the Policy and Legacy Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in collaboration with the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review and with support from European Union in Nigeria, convened an International Legislative Dialogue on Women and Constitutional Amendment in Nigeria.
The gathering brought together legislators, women’s groups, women politicians, civil society organisations, the media, and various stakeholders to discuss challenges facing women in politics and how Temporary Special Measures such as Special Seats for women in the legislature can advance women’s political representation.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas who gave the keynote address, noted that the objective of the House is to ensure that Nigerian women secure their rightful place within the governance framework and that empowering women is both a moral and economic imperative.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Tajudeen who chairs the Committee on Constitution Review, affirmed the commitment of the Committee to prioritise key bills before the Committee that would impact on improved women’s representation, which he described as an essential component of Nigeria’s democratic journey. The Deputy Speaker is sponsoring a bill to create Special Seats for women only in the National and State Houses of Assembly, as a temporary special measure to improve women’s political inclusion.
The Deputy Ambassador of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Nigeria and the ECOWAS, Zissimos Vergos, reiterated the EU’s support for women’s participation as a core component of sustainable development and noted that women’s political leadership is both a right and powerful driver for inclusive growth.
The Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, in his remarks expressed delight with the 10th National Assembly’s serious consideration of the Special Seats bill aimed at enhancing women’s inclusion and participation in Nigeria. He urged both State and Federal legislators to set aside cultural and religious prejudices to facilitate the bill’s passage. Additionally, he encouraged Nigeria to draw lessons from the experiences of Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and other African countries that have implemented measures to promote women’s involvement in politics and governance.
Notable guests included the Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania & President, Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU), Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Tulia Ackson who joined virtually and MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla from the Parliament of South Africa.
A key moment at the event was the signing of a commitment by the Nigerian Governors’ Spouses Forum, women legislators and other women politicians to advocate for constitutional amendment to promote women’s participation in governance in Nigeria.
This occasion represents a significant step forward in the advocacy for the Special Seats Bill currently under consideration in the House of Representatives. Our special appreciation goes to European Union in Nigeria for their support to this noteworthy event and to democratic governance in Nigeria.
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More pictures from the event:
