A Non Governmental Organisation(NGO) known as 100 Women Lobby Group have faulted Nigeria electoral system pointing out that, it has contributed to women’s under-representation in Nigeria’s legislature
Penpushing reports that, National Coordinator of the group, Felicia Onibon made this known while speaking with journalists, noting that, Nigeria is considered the worst performer in the West African region when looking at the representation of women in parliament and the second-worst after Eritrea in the whole of the African Continent
‘This is sad and does not speak well of Nigeria as a nation with women occupying only 21 out of 469 seats in the National Assembly. The situation is worse at the state level with the national percentage of state seats being 4.5% with women occupying 45 of the 990 seats in all state Houses of Assemblies’, she added.
Penpushing further reports that, Onibon who is President Change Managers said Nigeria women have paid their dues in all sectors and human endeavors including politics. Nigeria,adding that women have also shown integrity and capacity in governance, lamenting that despite their contributions, Nigeria women are still excluded in mainstream politics and governance’.
‘Records show that the presence of the few women in the National Assembly led to the proposition of critical actions to promote affirmative action and equal opportunities for women’, she stressed. ‘These bills include an Equal Opportunities Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2020; Gender and Equal Opportunities, Abuse and Administration Bill 2012; Affirmative Action (Equal Opportunities for Women) Bill 2012; Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill 2015; Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill 2015; Women Participation in Elections Support Bill, 2018’.
Penpushing also reports that, she said it is noted that this does not take into consideration, the number of proposals on affirmative action not considered by the National Assembly.
‘This low number of women in the Assembly is a factor for the lack of support or push for these bills. In a space where voting numbers matter, the numerical presence of women is key’, she stated
‘Today we are asking the additional seats bill and all other gender-sensitive bills that are receiving attention at the National Assembly to get the support of all members so that Nigeria can move forward in all aspects of life’.
‘We will like to take this opportunity to appreciate all our male leaders who have been acting and speaking in favor of the bill. We especially thank President Mohammadu Buhari, all the He for She Governors, Ministers, and members of NASS who have continuously supported the course of women and children [girls and boys]’.
‘We also appreciate our religious and traditional leaders who in their magnanimity have supported us in this struggle. We respectfully as that others join them to give their unflinching nudge to the request of Nigeria women’.
‘We like to further appreciate all civil society groups and individuals that have been at the forefront of this struggle supporting the course of Nigeria Women and girls’, the body stated.
‘Our prayer is for our legislators to consider working to effect change by creating enabling environment for Nigeria women through the passage of these bills and the inclusion of women-focused issues in the constitution’.
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