The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has described the underrepresentation of women in positions of power in Nigeria as a major setback to national progress.
This, he noted, is a stain on the country’s collective conscience.
He stated this on Monday in Abuja at the Technical Session on the Seat Reservation for Women Bill and the Public Presentation of the National Women Leaders Forum’s Operational Guidelines.
The event was organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in collaboration with the National Women Leaders Forum (NWLF) of Political Parties in Nigeria.
The Deputy Speaker said Nigeria’s democracy is incomplete due to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power.
The federal lawmaker said the Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), which he is sponsoring in the Green Chamber, seeks to address the profound imbalance and underrepresentation of women in the National Assembly and at the sub-national level.
According to him, it aims to dismantle systemic barriers and create a legislature that reflects the diversity of the nation. It’s not about charity but about justice, strategy, and national prosperity.
Kalu also urged various women’s groups to accelerate their advocacy efforts, mobilize support from political parties, and engage state assemblies, traditional leaders, and grassroots networks.
“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 mirrors the diversity of our nation. This is not about charity—it is about justice, strategy, and national prosperity.
“As Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, I am spearheading efforts to ensure our foundational law reflects 21st-century realities. HB1349 proposes a structured temporary special measure—reserved seats for women, reviewed after 16 years—to accelerate gender parity. This is not a permanent quota but a catalytic intervention, modeled after nations like Rwanda and Senegal, where similar measures boosted women’s representation to over 40 per cent.
“Evidence shows that nations with balanced gender representation achieve higher GDP growth, better healthcare outcomes, and more innovative policymaking.
“For Nigeria, closing the gender gap could increase our GDP by 9 per cent by the end of 2025. When women lead, communities thrive,” he said.
Earlier, the President of the National Women Leaders Forum of Political Parties in Nigeria, Amina Bryhm, called on the National Assembly to pass the Special Seat Bill.
Bryhm, who doubles as the National Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noted that it is essential to address the significant underrepresentation of women in Nigerian politics.
According to her, the proposed legislation is a crucial step toward achieving greater gender parity in the country’s legislative bodies.
She said the underrepresentation of women in political offices highlights a significant gender imbalance in the country’s legislative representation.
