BY NEWS EDITOR
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has emphasized the importance of women's representation in Nigeria's national and state assemblies, stressing that their underrepresentation is a significant barrier to the country's progress.
Speaking at a workshop in Abuja on Monday, Kalu noted that 15 states in Nigeria have no elected women in their assemblies, while women make up only 3.6% of the senate and 4.7% of the house of representatives.
He described these figures as 'a stain on our collective conscience and a barrier to national progress.'
To address this issue, Kalu is sponsoring the Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349), which aims to reserve seats for women in national and state assemblies.
He emphasized that this is not a permanent quota but a temporary measure to accelerate gender parity, modelled after successful initiatives in countries like Rwanda and Senegal.
Kalu, who is also the chairman of the house committee on constitution review, highlighted the importance of diverse perspectives in democracy, stating that 'democracy dies in the absence of diverse perspectives.'
He also emphasized that women's voices are crucial in shaping laws and issues that affect them, such as education, healthcare, and security.
Women's participation in politics is essential for creating a more inclusive and representative democracy. By having more women in politics, we can ensure that their voices are heard and their interests are represented. This can lead to more diverse and effective policymaking, and help break down gender stereotypes and patriarchal norms.
Women's participation in politics is not just a matter of equality; it's a matter of good governance.
The deputy speaker's call for greater women's representation in Nigeria's legislative bodies aligns with his commitment to promoting gender equality and affirmative action.
As he noted, evidence shows that countries with balanced gender representation achieve higher GDP growth and better healthcare outcomes.