By Josephine Ali
A one-day State Level Advocacy towards building consensus and consolidating memoranda, has been held in Lokja with a view to advancing women’s inclusion and representation in leadership and political processes in Nigeria.
The Chairperson of the Association of Female Lawyers (FIDA), Barrister Oluwakemi Omeiza-Usman, stated that the one-day advocacy programme is to ensure that the voices of women in Kogi are heard and integrated into Nigeria’s reform process, collate memoranda from citizen and ensure sustainable development through equitable resource distribution.
In her remarks, the Project Team Lead, Barrister Deborah Abodunde, who said the project which is aimed at advancing women’s inclusion and representation in leadership and political processes in Nigeria, was first implemented by FIDA Nigeria and sub-implemented by FOMWAN, added that it seeks to promote gender inclusion by advocating for special seats at the National and State Assembly levels.
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The project seeks to advocate for 74 additional exclusive special seats for women at the Federal House of Representative, 37 for the Nigeria Senate culminating into 111 seats at the National Assembly and 108 seats at the State Houses of Assembly.
She added that part of the objectives of the State level advocacy is to draft a memorandum that will be presented at a public hearing before the relevant National Assembly Committees.
According to her, having passed its second reading in the House of Representatives on July 9, 2024, under the leadership of Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and 12 co-sponsors, this bill is poised to redefine Nigeria’s legislative landscape.
Reserved seat is a temporary measure of allocating or reserving a minimum number of seats or positions to historically underrepresented groups – such as women, youth, and persons living with disabilities – in order to promote equal and inclusive political participation. It is expected that expected that special constituency seats are created to cater for the Reserved seats which are to be strictly occupied by women.
In his goodwill message, the Etsu Adankoko Community, Lokoja, HRH David Aibe Agbayi II, stated that the role of women by creating a balance in any given society cannot be overemphasised, and urged for a total support for the bill appreciating the foresight, commitment and passion of women whose exclusion has brought up negative issues in the society.
Similarly, Mrs. Eunice Agbogun of the Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI), noted that a very important component comprising women have left behind over the years hence the problems being experienced. She stated further that while there is no competition between men and women, there is the need to support women who have potentials to succeed in the future.
Highpoint of the advocacy programme was the signing of a memorandum by participants to be submitted at a public hearing at a later date.
Participants at the advocacy programme included traditional rulers, members of Unions, Civil Society Organisations, market women and all those who propagate the rights of women.
