REPS PASS BILL TO INCREASE WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT

July 9, 2024

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A constitutional amendment bill seeking to improve women’s representation in parliament through the introduction of special seats scaled second reading in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The move was aimed at encouraging more female participation in politics.

Sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, and 12 other lawmakers, the proposed legislation seeks to alter Sections 48, 49, 71, and 117 of the constitution to create one “special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state of the federation and the federal capital territory FCT.”

Joshua Gana, co-sponsor of the bill, who led the debate, said the proposed legislation is aimed at addressing a “profound imbalance and the under-representation of women in the national assembly and at sub-national levels.”.

The bill proposes to alter Section 91 of the constitution to provide for three special seats “reserved exclusively” for women in the houses of assembly of each state of the federation.

It is set to take effect after the term of the current national assembly elapses and is subject to review every 16 years.