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From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
A coalition of women groups yesterday presented a memo that sought the reservation of additional seats from each state for women in the two arms of the National Assembly.
The memo was presented at the Senate’s zonal public hearing on the Review of the1999 Constitution in Kano.
Speaking on behalf of FIDA, RAPA, WACOL, PONGWAN, and WOWIKAN, Dr. Mustapha Yahya maintained that the bill would address the present under representation of women in government and public office.
“Our gender bill proposes several key measures, including the allocation of additional Senate seats. Specifically, the bill suggests one additional seat for women in all 37 states, including the FCT, which would result in 37 reserved seats for women in the Senate,” he said.
“Another crucial proposal within the gender bill pertains to the House of Representatives. The coalition advocates for one seat for every three senatorial districts, which will translate to 47 seats for women in the House of Representatives,” he stated.
He added that the bill also proposed three additional seats for women in each state’s assembly.
Yahya stressed that women constituted 45-49% of Nigerian voters, but regretted that they are severely underrepresented in the national and state legislatures.
Habiba Ahmed, Senior Programs Officer of Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), urged the government to accept, pass, and assent to the bill for specially-reserved seats for women
She stressed the importance of this legislation in promoting women’s participation in governance.
