By Comfort Olayinka
In a bold and historic move, the Network of Women with Disabilities (NWD) has taken center stage in a nationwide campaign demanding constitutional inclusion for women with disabilities, calling for 5% of the 181 proposed Special Seats in the National Assembly to be specifically reserved for them.
The advocacy, carried out during the Senate’s Zonal Public Hearings on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, spanned five geopolitical zones — Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Sokoto, Bauchi, and Enugu States — with NWD’s Global President, Hon. Lois Auta, leading the charge.
“Representation is not charity — it is jstice,” declared Hon. Auta during her presentations. “Women with disabilities must have a constitutionally protected voice in Nigeria’s democracy.”
At each zonal hearing, NWD and its coalition partners presented memoranda demanding equitable inclusion through the following five-point agenda:
Minimum of 5% reserved seats for women with disabilities in the proposed 181 special legislative seats
Rights-based, inclusive language in constitutional and legal texts
Political party reforms to ensure candidacy and leadership by women with disabilities
Accessible political environments, including campaign venues and polling units
Creation of a Disability-Inclusive Electoral Support Fund
The advocacy efforts gained momentum during a spirited advocacy walk in Plateau State on July 4, organized in collaboration with the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF). The event brought together young and older women from across the disability and political inclusion spectrum.
NWD praised WIPF Founder, Barr. Ebere Ifendu, and the UN Women for their support, highlighting the growing national consensus on the need for inclusive governance.
Solidarity in Action:
NWD’s efforts were amplified by a strong coalition of disability rights organizations, including:
Sussan’s Unique Oasis Foundation
Disabled People in Leadership Initiative
Equal Basis Development Initiative
Lois and Innocent Institute
Cedarseed Foundation (CSF)
Young Persons with Disabilities Network (YPWDN)
FalconsCare Initiative for Women with Disabilities Empowerment (FIWDE)
These partnerships emphasized the collective power of marginalized voices fighting for constitutional justice.
As the constitutional amendment process progresses, NWD urges lawmakers to act with urgency and integrity by embedding disability inclusion directly into the nation’s democratic fabric.
“We deserve a seat too — not someday, but now,” Hon. Auta concluded.
