Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Ibrahim Ramalan
Published on 2024-03-04 16:59:20
The ongoing constitution review exercise by the 10th National Assembly is set to address the issue of gender imbalance in Nigeria, according to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Speaking at the Roundtable on Women Inclusion in Politics organized by various organizations in Abuja, Mr. Kalu highlighted the low participation of women in Nigerian politics compared to countries like Rwanda, where a constitutional provision mandates at least 30% of parliamentary seats to be reserved for women.
He emphasized the impact of such provisions in Rwanda, where women now hold an unparalleled 61.3% of seats in the lower House of parliament. In contrast, in Nigeria’s National Assembly, only 4% of women hold seats in the House of Representatives and 3.6% in the Senate. Mr. Kalu stressed that reservation of seats and adoption of electoral quotas for women would elevate Nigeria’s status among other nations.
With the ongoing constitution review exercise and the supportive stance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Kalu expressed confidence in achieving greater inclusion of Nigerian women in politics. He highlighted the comparative analysis showing Nigeria lagging behind in women’s participation and affirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to improving the situation.
Mr. Kalu cited examples of women in leadership positions within the current administration, including the First Lady, the Vice President, the Chief of Staff, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, to demonstrate a positive attitude towards women in politics. He encouraged the audience, which included women parliamentarians, to leverage the renewed hope for increased female representation in parliament.
As the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Mr. Kalu pledged his support for empowering women in politics, acknowledging their potential to excel. He outlined the need for a multifaceted approach to address barriers to gender equality in politics, including discriminatory laws, cultural biases, and unequal access to resources. He stressed the importance of providing support, resources, and training to empower women elected through seat reservations to effectively advocate for gender-responsive policies.
Mr. Kalu called on legislators to act as catalysts for change by promoting inclusivity, amplifying women’s voices, and challenging discriminatory practices within legislative bodies. He urged a collective commitment to dismantling obstacles and creating an environment where women can thrive in politics.
In conclusion, the Deputy Speaker emphasized the significance of women’s inclusion in politics and expressed optimism for a more gender-inclusive political landscape in Nigeria. He highlighted the crucial role of legislators in championing gender equality and fostering a culture of inclusivity within the legislative framework.
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