By Christiana Ekpa
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has strongly advocated for the removal of barriers that hinder women’s political advancement in Nigeria.
He said that giving women opportunities to participate in the parliamentary activities and in the governance processes will not only birth a legislature that reflects the diverse makeup of Nigerian citizenry and values but also bring immense benefits to the general society.
Kalu made the call while delivering his welcome address at the International Legislative Dialogue on Women and Constitution Amendment in Nigeria organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review in collaboration with Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) with support from the European Union (EU) in Abuja on Monday.
Kalu who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review bemoaned the poor number of women fielded as candidates in the last 2023 general elections.
According to him, having 1,552 as women in the elections that produced 15,307 candidates by 18 political parties was not encouraging in any way.
The Deputy Speaker therefore called for support to the gender bills that are before the parliament to ensure that the women are given an opportunity to make their contributions to the political development of the country.
He said: “I am honored o lead the House Committee on Constitution Review, where we have proposed bills aimed at correcting the gender imbalance within government at all levels. One such critical bill, “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Seat Reservation for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly” (HB 1349), alongside four other gender justice bills, are under consideration.
“This proposed legislation is designed to remedy the low representation of women by creating additional seats specifically for female candidates in national and state legislatures”.
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