Katsina Assembly Chairman Advocates for Women’s Special Seats Bill
Nasiru Daura, the Chairman of the Katsina State House of Assembly, is prioritizing the swift passage of the Bill for Special Seats for Women. He expressed this commitment on Thursday, coinciding with a significant gathering of women at the state Capitol who voiced their support for the proposed legislation.
Women’s Groups Rally for Legislative Change
Diverse women’s organizations, led by Barakah Suleiman, President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), submitted a petition to the Speaker of the Assembly. This petition urged lawmakers to support the timely passage of the bill, underscoring its importance for advancing women’s representation in governance across Nigeria.
Addressing Underrepresentation in Political Structures
The petition, dated March 23, 2025, highlights the urgent need for the proposed legislation as a means to enhance women’s participation in Nigeria’s political landscape. The advocates pointed out that, despite women making up nearly half of the nation’s population and playing a vital role in its social, economic, and political development, they continue to be significantly underrepresented in electoral positions.
Disparities in Political Participation
According to the petition, women hold less than 5 percent of seats in national parliaments, state assemblies, and local governments, rendering Nigeria one of the lowest-ranked countries in Africa for women’s political participation. The proposed Women’s Special Seats Bill seeks to establish additional seats for women in both legislative chambers, supporting a more balanced representation.
Learning from International Examples
The group noted that countries such as Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda have successfully implemented similar measures to boost women’s representation in politics. Previous proposals for constitutional amendments aimed at enhancing women’s political standing have been debated in both the 9th and 10th National Assembly but failed to achieve the required constitutional majority.
Mobilizing Support Among Lawmakers
Advocates are urging the Speaker to rally his colleagues to secure the two-thirds majority necessary for the bill’s passage. They have also called for rejection of any efforts to delay or weaken its consideration. The petition also aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under international agreements, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Maputo Protocol.
Women’s Empowerment Linked to Better Governance
Increasing women’s representation in governance is expected to yield positive outcomes in areas such as healthcare, education, community development, and poverty alleviation. Barakah Suleiman emphasized that a parliament reflecting the country’s diverse demographics would be more responsive, accountable, and legitimate.
Encouragement from Assembly Leadership
In earlier discussions, women representatives visited the office of the House Women’s Affairs Committee Chairman, Ali Abu Al-Babbah, advocating tirelessly for support of the bill. Chairman Daura recognized the crucial role women play in nation-building and assured the groups that their appeals would receive proper attention within the Assembly. He expressed optimism that the Special Seats for Women Bill would soon be approved with the backing of Governor Dikko Umar Radda.
Call to Action from Women Journalists
Reflecting on the importance of this initiative, Hannatu Muhammadu, the Katsina state president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, commented that the petition’s timing is critical given the current gaps in women’s representation in legislative roles. She urged the Assembly to prioritize their demands as a matter of urgency, stressing the necessity for meaningful change in the political arena.
