Abuja: Concerted proponency for women’s political inclusion gained renewed momentum as leaders, politicians, policymakers, and advocates reinforced advocacy efforts for the Reserved Seats Bill Passage at ‘She the People Dialogue’, convened by the Emerge Women Initiative in Abuja. Declaring the dialogue open, Minister of State for Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, who co-sponsored the bill in the Ninth Assembly, cautioned that history must not be repeated.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the Minister recalled the bill’s journey, stating, ‘This bill first came up in April 2021, and it moved at the speed of light through the committee, but on the day of final voting, despite overwhelming support, it failed because the numbers were not there. Nigerian women must not celebrate too early this time. It is not over until the votes are cast,’ she cautioned. Onyejeocha, while lauding the undeniable resilience and leadership strengths of Nigerian women, urged them to broaden their strategy beyond parliament to political parties.
She emphasized, ‘If parties do not meet a certain quota, they should not be allowed to run for election. It is not just about elective office, but even party leadership. We must insist on no less than 35% representation. If a woman is at the head of anything, you will see change. Even with nothing, she can turn little into much. Keep pushing, keep changing the narrative. This is our time, and Nigeria cannot afford to leave its women behind.’
Delivering a keynote address, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, also reaffirmed women’s capacity to lead. ‘You see how far women can go if you allow them in the room. What people are asking for is not tokenism. Women have what it takes to step into any room, to stand in any space, and to hold their own,’ he stated. Represented by Sam Hart, Kalu underscored the urgency of legislative action.
He stated, ‘The reserve seat bill, otherwise known as HB 1349, sponsored by me as Deputy Speaker and co-sponsored by other members of the House, is a legislative effort that seeks to carve out a dedicated space for women in our governance structures. This bill is not just a piece of legislation, nor is it an act of tokenism. It is proof of our collective commitment to change the narrative and disrupt the status quo that has long sidelined women from decision-making tables.’
Kalu reminded participants of the stakes ahead: ‘What you are doing is very important. this time around, there is a lot of work being done, and we are collectively optimistic that this time around, this is going to work.’
Setting the tone earlier, the convener, Mary Ikoku, framed the Reserved Seats campaign as a matter of rights, not charity. ‘It was in 2022, when the ninth National Assembly rejected all five gender bills, that we occupied the gates of the Assembly; one of those bills was the special seats bill, co-sponsored by my sister, the then Deputy Chief Whip, now Minister of State for Labour. It was defeated not because of a lack of merit but a lack of votes. Today, with the Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly as sponsor, there is real hope that Nigeria can do things right,’ she said.
She further reminded participants: ‘We are not asking for favour but for our constitutional rights as women and girls in this country to have the right to leadership. There are other crucial bills also before the National Assembly for consideration. Those bills are the indigeneship bill, the 35% affirmative action bill, the bill to commute death sentences to life sentences for pregnant women, the Citizenship for Spouses of Nigerians Bill, and the Reserved Seats Bill. It is my hope and wish that those bills pass.’
Australian Parliamentarian Bronwyn Halfpenny, in a goodwill message, pledged solidarity with Nigerian women in their struggle for equal representation, describing the dialogue as a defining moment. ‘I feel proud to stand amongst women from Nigeria who continue to fight for equality. I believe I have come at just the right time, when Nigeria is on the path of big change in women’s rights. I give you my solidarity and greetings from Australia,’ she said.
Also, FCT Mandate Secretary for Women Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, speaking, reinforced the urgency of the cause, noting that leadership that has more women in the room embodies true progress. ‘She the People is not a gender agenda; it is about leadership. The time is now, and if not you, then who?’ Benjamin-Laniyi stated.
Laniyi charged women to rise with courage and unity: ‘This is our historic moment. We stand on the shoulders of those before us, but we must also become the shoulders on which others will stand. Ladies, it is time to fly – and the wind is with us.’ she said.