Nigerian women, who comprise nearly half of the population, are fighting for legislative representation as they occupy only 4.3% of parliament. Advocacy for the 'Reserved Seat for Women bill' aims to reserve seats specifically to increase female participation in the political arena. With only four women in the Senate and 16 in the House of Representatives, gender rights advocates highlight the steep barriers that women face in entering politics. They believe that this bill could foster inclusivity, improve policymaking, and promote economic stability by elevating women's roles in governance.
"Only 4.3% of Nigeria's federal lawmakers are women. That's not representation, that's exclusion," Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche, a gender rights advocate in Abuja, who is advocating the passage of the new bill, told DW.
"The current political landscape in Nigeria does not favor women's entrance into politics and governance because it's skewed from the very beginning," she said, adding that the new bill would allow more women to contest for political office.
"Reserving seats for women, particularly those with disabilities, is a crucial step forward in promoting inclusivity and representation currently lacking in Nigeria," Angelina Ugben, another proponent of the bill, told DW.
Supporters of the bill say it could propel Nigeria towards a more inclusive governance. Ogwuche believes that more women in government could lead to smarter policies and a more stable economy.
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