From Idu Jude Abuja
As Nigerian women join other African countries in celebrating women and their contributions to the economy, The Initiative for Research, Innovation, and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) has called on the Federal government of Nigeria to start addressing the issue of inequality between genders.
It said this would soon come to fruition as it is already in collaboration with the National Assembly in sponsoring a bill on equal representation in both the red and green chambers.
The group in a press statement on Thursday, signed by the Director Princess Harman-Obels, solemnly reflects on the immense contributions that African women have made, and continue to make, to the socio-political and economic fabric of our continent.
The statement emphasised that, “day is not merely a ceremonial occasion marked by celebration; it is a profound moment at which all stakeholders are called upon to recognize and confront the entrenched inequalities that impede the full realization of women’s rights and representation in Africa”.
It further highlighted that African women have long been the backbone of African communities, serving in multifaceted roles as caregivers, economic drivers, educators, and leaders. It noted that their resilience, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment to societal progress have fueled transformative change despite the persistent barriers they face.
“African Women’s Day, therefore reminds us to recognize African Women’s contributions to progress and to honor these women, both the well-known trailblazers and the countless unsung heroines, whose endeavors have laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable future.
“In line with the African Union’s recognition of urgent continental priorities, this year’s African Women’s Day is guided by the theme “Advancing Social & Economic Justice for African Women through Reparations.” This theme is profoundly relevant, as it draws attention to the historical and ongoing injustices that have shaped the socio-economic realities of African women.
Reparations in this context extend beyond financial redress to include comprehensive measures aimed at empowering and elevating African women within a world shaped by centuries of marginalization. The theme challenges governments, policymakers, civil society, and the public to embrace justice not merely as legal restitution but as an ongoing process that addresses systemic imbalances and creates meaningful opportunities for African women across all sectors.
“While we celebrate, let us remember that significant gaps persist in women’s political representation, particularly in Nigeria. Currently, women hold only 5% of the 1,462 legislative seats across Nigeria’s Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly. In the Senate, only 4 of the 109 seats are occupied by women, representing 3.7%. In the House of Representatives, women hold 15 out of 360 seats, representing 4.2%. The State Houses of Assembly have 54 women among 993 legislators, accounting for just 5.4%, with 13 States having zero female representation. Nigeria ranks 180th out of 185 countries globally in women’s representation in parliament the lowest figure in Sub-Saharan Africa. These figures signify systemic exclusion, limiting the diversity of voices in policy and governance in Nigeria”.
Meanwhile, IRIAD has revealed that the special seats for Women championed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbas is designed to address the acute underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s legislatures. The Bill seeks to create 74 additional reserved seats for women at the federal level, with one additional seat for women in the Senate and one in the House of Representatives from each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
At the state level, it proposes 108 additional reserved seats for women, three extra seats for women in each of the 36 State Houses of Assembly. The Bill seeks to add 182 elective special seats exclusively for women across Nigeria’s legislative bodies. This measure is intended to dismantle entrenched structures and barriers that have excluded women from meaningful participation in governance, fostering a more inclusive and representative political system. Globally, reserved seats have proven effective in increasing women’s political representation and participation, leading to broader policy focus on healthcare, education, social welfare, and the elimination of gender-based violence.
“Worth stating is that these issues disproportionately affect women and children and underpin sustainable development. A legislature that better reflects gender diversity enriches democratic decision-making by incorporating a wider range of perspectives and experiences.
IRIAD said it is deeply committed to advancing the passage of the bill as advocacy is grounded in collaboration with lawmakers, women’s rights advocates and defenders, CSOs, and grassroots partners to organize and build the consensus necessary for this reform.
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