Former Female Presidential Candidate Adesanya-Davies Lauds Bill Seeking to Create 182 New Legislative Seats for Women

The National Assembly’s proposal to create 182 new legislative seats exclusively for women across federal and state parliaments has been welcomed by Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, former female presidential candidate.

Thus, former female presidential candidate, Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, has expressed her support for the National Assembly’s proposal to create 182 new legislative seats exclusively for women across federal and state parliaments.

In a statement, Adesanya-Davies described the bill as a “defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic evolution,” emphasizing that it will ensure women’s perspectives, needs, and rights are reflected in policymaking. She noted that the bill aligns with international obligations, such as the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality.

The proposed legislation recommends one additional seat per state, including the Federal Capital Territory, to be reserved for women in both chambers of the National Assembly, and three additional reserved seats for women in each state House of Assembly.

Adesanya-Davies joins other prominent figures, including the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Kafilat Ogbara, and Senator Ireti Kingibe, in backing the bill. They argue that the bill will help address the current underrepresentation of women in legislative seats, which stands at less than 5%.

The bill has also received support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and various women’s groups, who see it as a crucial step towards achieving gender equality and promoting inclusive governance .

In her recommendations and suggestions, to ensure the bill’s successful implementation, Adesanya-Davies recommends:

• Capacity building: Provide training and capacity-building programs for women elected to these seats to enhance their leadership skills and effectiveness.
• Mentorship: Establish mentorship programs to support women in politics, pairing them with experienced female leaders.
• Increased funding: Allocate sufficient funds to support women’s participation in politics, including campaign financing and party support.
• Party support: Encourage political parties to support and promote women candidates.
• Civic engagement: Engage citizens, particularly women, in the democratic process through civic education and voter registration drives.

In conclusion, she stated that, “The creation of 182 new legislative seats for women is a significant step towards achieving gender equality and promoting inclusive governance in Nigeria.” Thus, Adesanya-Davies urges all stakeholders, including lawmakers, political parties, and civil society organizations, to support this bill and work towards its successful implementation.

“Together, we can build a more inclusive and representative democracy that reflects the diversity of Nigerian society.” She added.

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Signed:
Nuhu Agum
SSA PMACO
Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies
Former Female Presidential Candidate