By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu has made a case for the passage of the Seat Reservation for Women Bill, HB1349, stressing that it is about justice, strategy and national prosperity.
The deputy speaker, who stated this Monday at a three-day workshop on public presentation of the national women leaders forum’s operational guidelines and the roles of political parties in the passage of seat reservation for women bills, HB 1349, in Abuja, also highlighted the alarming fact that 13 states in Nigeria do not have female lawmakers.
He disclosed that at the national level, women make up only 3.6 percent of the Senate and 4.7 percent of the House of Representatives.
He maintained that the underrepresentation is not just a statistical anomaly, but also a barrier to national progress and fairness in representation.
Sponsored by Kalu, the proposed bill seeks to reserve seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers and create a legislature that mirrors the diversity of the nation.
He, however, explained that the measure was temporary, expected to run for four terms and was modeled after successful initiatives in countries like Rwanda and Senegal, where women’s representation has increased to over 40 percent.
According to him, “Democracy thrives not merely through elections, but through inclusion. When half of our population remain underrepresented in halls of power, our democracy is not just weakened—it is incomplete. Today, 15 states have zero elected women in their assemblies. At the national level, women make up a meager 3.6 percent of the Senate and 4.7percent of the House of Representatives. These figures are not just statistics; they are a stain on our collective conscience and a barrier to national progress.
“As chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, I am spearheading efforts to ensure that our foundational law reflects 21st-century realities. HB1349 proposes a structured temporary special measure—reserved seats for women, reviewed after 16 years—to accelerate gender parity. This is not a permanent quota but a catalytic intervention, modeled after nations like Rwanda and Senegal, where similar measures boosted women’s representation to over 40 percent.
“Evidence shows that nations with balanced gender representation achieve higher Gross Domestic Product, GDP, better healthcare outcomes and more innovative policymaking. For Nigeria, closing the gender gap could increase our GDP by nine percent by the end of 2025. When women lead, communities thrive.”
He urged various women groups to accelerate their advocacy efforts, mobilise support from political parties and engage state assemblies, traditional leaders and grassroots network in order to achieve their aspirations.
The deputy speaker also encouraged Nigerians to make their input and support the passage of the bill.
