By Comfort Olayinka
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has passionately advocated for gender equity at the International Legislative Dialogue on Women and Constitution Amendment Process in Abuja. Kalu emphasized empowering women as a democratic, moral and economic imperative.
Kalu lamented Nigeria’s stark gender imbalance says only 20 women occupy 469 National Assembly seats. He highlighted that the 2023 elections worsened this disparity, with few female candidates,pledged to address this through the House Committee on Constitution Review.
“Today, as we confront the realities that restrict women’s political participation, it is essential to understand the scale and urgency of this issue. Data from the recent 2023 general elections highlights the scope of this challenge: 18 political parties fielded a staggering 15,307 candidates.”
“However, of these candidates, only 1,552 were women. This sharp contrast
is not just a statistic; it is a stark reminder of the societal, structural, and
political barriers that continue to inhibit women’s full participation in our democracy.”
A key solution is the proposed “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution” (HB 1349). This temporary measure reserves seats for female legislators, reviewable after four election cycles. Kalu cited global evidence: countries with higher female representation achieve notable progress in health, education and economic stability.
Kalu said, “I am honored to lead a Committee that is committed to remedying this imbalance. Among several bills, A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Seat Reservation for Women (HB 1349) is one we believe will encourage meaningful representation.”
He reiterated “inclusive governance is not merely an equity issue; it is a strategic
imperative.”
The European Union’s Deputy Ambassador, Zissimos, reinforced the EU’s commitment to advancing gender equality. Women’s political leadership drives inclusive growth, equality, peace and democracy. Zissimos urged an inclusive legal framework promoting equitable participation.
“Women’s equal participation in decision-making is essential to achieve equality, sustainable development, peace, and democracy,”
Zissimos stressed women’s political leadership offers invaluable contributions to sustainable development. “Let us create a society where every woman feels safe to survive and empowered to thrive,” he said.
Deputy Speaker Kalu and the EU delegation called for tangible progress. Discussions must translate into measurable gender equality advancements in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Together, they envision a governance model where gender inclusivity and equal representation foster resilience, economic stability and equity. Women’s unique perspectives strengthen democracy and resilience.
