From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At the 9th Voice of Women (VOW) Conference, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas delivered a powerful message of hope and commitment to Nigerian women, saying under-representation of women will soon be a thing of the past.
Represented by Kafilat Ogbara of Kosofe federal constituency, emphasising the theme “Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action,” the Speaker underscored the significance of unity among women as a catalyst for transformational change. “When women come together, we amplify our voices, share our experiences and create a formidable force for positive change,” he declared.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1718806029429-0’); });
Highlighting the longstanding challenges women face in Nigeria—from gender-based violence to political underrepresentation—Abbas stressed that collective action is crucial to dismantling systemic barriers. He referenced historic movements and contemporary advocacy as living proof of women’s power in pushing societal progress.
Central to his remarks was the progress on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, a legislation he is actively sponsoring. “The Reserved Seats for Women Bill would help to address the historical under-representation of women in our political landscape,” he said. The bill proposes adding 37 seats for women in both the Senate and House of Representatives, plus three additional seats from each senatorial district in state assemblies, significantly increasing women’s participation in governance. He further detailed robust efforts underway engaging political parties, grassroots organisations, royal fathers, and lawmakers to secure passage of the bill.
Abbas assured the gathering of the strong support from the National Assembly leadership, including the President and Deputy Speaker, describing the current political climate as the best moment for women’s representation. “We have a president that is gender sensitive… there’s no better time than now,” he emphasised.
He urged all present to foster mentorship programmes, grassroots movements, and collaborative networks to empower Nigerian women further.
The Speaker concluded with a passionate call to action: “We can create a future where Nigerian women thrive, where our voices are heard, our rights are protected, our potentials are realised. Let us unite in our efforts and continue to champion the cause of women empowerment.”
The post Women’s underrepresentation to end soon, Speaker declares at 9th VOW confab appeared first on The Sun Nigeria.
