A constitutional alteration bill seeking to reserve seats for women in the national and state assemblies has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and co-sponsored by 12 other lawmakers, the bill aims to address the underrepresentation of women in legislative houses. If passed, it will alter Sections 48 and 49 of the 1999 Constitution to reserve one seat for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state and the Federal Capital Territory.
The bill also seeks to reserve three seats for women in each state’s House of Assembly, spread across the three senatorial districts. The proposed legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Constitutional Review for further input.
Proponents argue that the bill will promote gender equality, empower women, and amplify their voices in legislative decision-making processes. Nigeria currently ranks low in women’s representation in parliament, and this bill seeks to address that imbalance.
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