The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasized that affirmative action for women is a necessary corrective measure to ensure fairness and gender balance in the polity. He made this statement at a session with Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to commemorate the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Speaker Abbas noted that the National Assembly has been at the forefront of the fight against GBV and the advocacy for greater women’s representation since 1999. He cited the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child’s Rights Act, and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act as examples of transformative legislative reforms.
The Speaker further emphasized that the 10th House has prioritized constitutional reforms to promote women’s political participation and representation through its Legislative Agenda. He recognized the indispensable role women play in governance and the broader societal fabric, stating that women are the cornerstone of families and communities, yet their political representation remains unacceptably low.
Speaker Abbas stressed that affirmative action for women is not undemocratic, but a necessary corrective measure to address historical inequities and unlock the nation’s full potential. He cited Rwanda and South Africa as examples of African countries that have successfully enshrined affirmative action in their constitutions.
The Speaker concluded by emphasizing the importance of state Houses of Assembly in achieving meaningful constitutional reforms. He stressed that the active participation and support of state speakers are crucial in ensuring that gender-focused amendments and legislation are adopted at the sub-national level.
B. Andrew
LV.