Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has strongly advocated for the swift passage of the Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), highlighting its importance in promoting justice, national strategy, and prosperity.
Kalu made this call during a three-day workshop held in Abuja, where the National Women Leaders Forum presented its operational guidelines and discussed the role of political parties in supporting the bill.
Kalu pointed out the significant issue of underrepresentation, noting that 15 states in Nigeria currently have no female lawmakers.
At the national level, women make up only 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives. He stressed that this underrepresentation is more than just a statistical problem, but an obstacle to the nation’s progress.
The Deputy Speaker explained that the Seat Reservation for Women Bill is a temporary initiative designed to run for four terms. It draws inspiration from successful measures in countries like Rwanda and Senegal, where female representation has exceeded 40% due to similar policies.
Kalu emphasized the need for democratic inclusion, stating that a democracy is incomplete when half of the population is not adequately represented in decision-making bodies. He described the bill as a critical step towards dismantling systemic barriers and ensuring that the National and State Assemblies reflect the country’s diverse population.
As the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Kalu outlined the bill’s goal of accelerating gender parity through a structured, temporary measure. This measure is intended to be reviewed after 16 years.
He called on women’s groups to intensify their advocacy efforts, mobilize political parties, and engage with state assemblies, traditional leaders, and grassroots networks to ensure the bill’s passage. Kalu emphasized that this issue transcends gender, urging all Nigerians to support the bill as a national cause requiring collective action.
He stated: Democracy thrives not merely through elections, but through inclusion. When half of our population remains underrepresented in halls of power, our democracy is not just weakened—it is incomplete. Today, 15 states in Nigeria have no elected women in their assemblies. At the national level, women comprise a meagre 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives. These figures are not just statistics; they are a stain on our conscience and a barrier to national progress.
The Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), which I proudly sponsor, seeks to alter this narrative. By reserving seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, we aim to dismantle systemic barriers and create a legislature that reflects the diversity of our nation. This is not about charity but justice, strategy, and national prosperity.
“As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, I spearheaded efforts to ensure our foundational law reflects 21st-century realities. HB1349 proposes a structured temporary special measure—reserved seats for women, to be reviewed after 16 years—to accelerate gender parity.
“This is not a permanent quota but a catalytic intervention, modelled after nations like Rwanda and Senegal, where similar measures have boosted women’s representation to over 40%.“
