Special seats for women in Parliament, key to unlocking national prosperity – Kalu

• …Decries absence of women lawmakers in 13 States

By Christiana Ekpa

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has made a strong case for the passage of the Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), emphasizing it is but about justice, strategy, and national prosperity.

Speaking at a 3-Day workshop on public presentation of the national women leaders forum’s operational guidelines and the roles of political parties in the passage of seat reservation for women bills (HB 1349) in Abuja on Monday, Kalu highlighted the alarming fact of 13 States in Nigeria not having any female lawmakers, lamenting that at the national level, women make up only 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives.

He stressed that the underrepresentation is not just a statistical anomaly, but also a barrier to national progress.

Incidently sponsored by Kalu, the proposed bill seeks to reserve seats for women in the National and State Assemblies, aiming to dismantle systemic barriers and create a legislature that mirrors the diversity of the nation.

Kalu however explained that the measure is temporary, expected to run for 4 terms, and is modeled after successful initiatives in countries like Rwanda and Senegal, where women’s representation has increased to over 40%.

He said: “Democracy thrives not merely through elections, but through inclusion. When half of our population remains underrepresented in halls of power, our democracy is not just weakened—it is incomplete. Today, 15 states in Nigeria have zero elected women in their assemblies. At the national level, women make up a meager 3.6% of the Senate and 4.7% of the House of Representatives. These figures are not just statistics; they are a stain on our collective conscience and a barrier to national progress.

“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%.”