By Amina Samuel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State government has pledged full support for increased female representation in parliament and the broader fight for women’s rights in the country.
Speaking at the launch of the Her Seat in Parliament and Governance: Ward-to-Ward Campaign in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering women politically, socially, and economically.
Represented by the Deputy Director of Gender Affairs, Mrs. Lami Usman, Salisu reaffirmed that under Governor Uba Sani’s leadership, the state would continue engaging women in sensitization and empowerment programs to foster national development.
The campaign, organized by the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) in collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), aims to support the proposed 74 Special Seats Bill and ensure at least 35% affirmative action for women across all levels of governance.
In her address, Kaduna State Chairperson of NILOWV, Barrister Julie Ariahu, highlighted the urgency of addressing gender disparities in governance.
She pointed out that despite Nigeria’s commitment to international conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, women remain underrepresented.
“The National Gender Policy recommends 50% representation, yet about 15 states in Nigeria have no female lawmakers in their state assemblies,” Ariahu stated.
She cited Rwanda and Tanzania as examples of African nations where special parliamentary seats have successfully increased women’s representation.
The initiative has received backing from key stakeholders, including NAWOJ’s National President, Comrade Aisha K. Bura, who was represented by the North-West Vice President, Comrade Rabi Muhammad Gwadabawa. She urged other states to follow Kaduna’s lead in implementing the campaign.
Former lawmaker Comrade Florence Aya, who represented Kaura constituency in the Fourth Assembly, lamented the slow progress of women’s political participation in Nigeria.
She stressed that special seats in parliament remain the only viable solution to bridging the gender gap in governance.
Several organizations, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), and the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), also expressed support for the bill.
NLC Kaduna Chapter Chairman, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, commended NILOWV and NAWOJ for amplifying women’s voices and pledged the union’s full backing.
The event concluded with the unveiling of the national emblem for the Her Seat in Parliament and Governance campaign by Commissioner Salisu.
The campaign launch comes amid growing scrutiny of gender representation in Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Nigeria ranks among the bottom 10 countries globally in women’s representation in parliament. Reports indicate that in 15 states, there is not a single female lawmaker in the state assemblies.
