- As Senate President expresses sadness over failure to enact gender bills
By Lillian Okenwa
Over 200 civil society groups led by WOMANIFESTO are calling for the appointment of more women in leadership positions at the National and State Assemblies while insisting that the five gender bills rejected by the legislative arm be re-debated and voted for.
WOMANIFESTO in a statement signed by its Co-convener, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi maintains that the Gender and Equal Opportunities (GEO) Bill must be passed, adding that rejection of the five gender bills has done great harm to Nigerian women, the country, and its social capital.
They also called for more resource allocation to pursue an equal society.
Days ago, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said he is sad that members of the National Assembly voted against all five gender bills that sought to promote more opportunities for women in political parties, governance, and society at large.
Public affairs analysts, however, note that this might be an opportunity for the outgoing National Assembly to redeem its image in the sight of Nigerian women. It remains to be seen whether the 9th Assembly and its saddened Senate President will in any way assuage the disillusioned Nigerian women before exiting on 11 June 2023.
The statement reads:
At least forty-four percent of Nigeria’s voting population are women, yet less than 5% of the 1,553 women who contested the 2023 Elections across Nigeria were elected. Despite the consistent push for increased representation of women in politics–elective and appointive positions, the just concluded 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections show alarming underrepresentation of women. For instance, of the 1,459 Legislative seats at the state and national levels, so far, women have won only 75 seats. Alarmingly, there are 15 states without a single woman in their State House of Assembly.
It is of great concern that in the election into the Nigerian parliament from 1999 till date, only 176 women have been elected (new and repeat) as compared to 3,107 for their male counterparts. In the coming 10th National Assembly, there is a reduction from eight women in the Senate to three, while in the House of Representatives, only 17 women have been elected so far compared to the 13 in the outgoing 9th Assembly. It is no wonder that as of February 2023, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) ranks Nigeria 183 out of 193 countries in Women’s Representation in National Parliaments.
In Nigeria’s 24 years of democracy, no woman has been Senate President or Deputy Senate President. Patricia Etteh is the only woman to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives from June to October 2007. Hon. Mulikat Akande was the first woman elected as Majority Leader at the Federal Legislative level in 2011. More women need to be elected to leadership positions in the National Assembly of Nigeria irrespective of the current numbers. These women represent about 50% of Nigeria’s population and this should be reflected in the parliament’s leadership. This is a matter of equity and social inclusion.
The National Assembly is constitutionally vested with several functions, such as lawmaking, confirmation of nominations, representation, oversight, scrutinizing bills, legislative proposals, and motions, etc. Most of these functions are achieved through Committees made up of Distinguished Senators and Honorable Members of the House of Representatives. Section 62(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) empowers the Senate and the House of Representatives to appoint Committees of special and general purpose as may be expedient.
The Senate is charged with intervening in matters of national security, epidemic, poverty drought, and government and labor union disputes for industrial unity. Senate also confirms the President’s nominations for senior diplomats, federal judges, and members of INEC. Federal and state lawmakers duly elected to the National Assembly are vanguards of Nigeria’s democracy, peace, development, and unity. Decisions being made in parliament need to mainstream gender inclusion and equity. With Nigerian women successfully leading in various fields globally, it is vital that they take the lead in parliament and its Committees. Besides, gender equity and inclusion are a matter of efficiency and merit.
In light of the foregoing, we demand the inclusion of women among the top three slots of Principal Officers of the Nigerian Parliament either as Senate President, Deputy Senate President, or Speaker. There are qualified women among the elected National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly. In addition, it is the reality of the day that gender equity is critical to sustainable development; and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind. Having women serve as parliamentary Principal Officers would contribute tremendously to inclusive governance and national development in the next dispensation.
More than ever, WE DEMAND THAT:
- The Gender and Equal Opportunities (GEO) Bill be passed.
- The five gender bills be re-debated and voted for, as the rejection of these bills has harmed Nigerian women, the country, and our social capital.
- More resources be allocated to pursue an equal society.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi
Co-convener WOMANIFESTO
Tel: (234) 805 595 1858 | Email: [email protected]
List of WOMANIFESTO Member Organizations
- 100 Women Lobby Group
- 9jafeminista
- Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls
- Above Whispers Media Foundation
- Action Aid Nigeria
- ACTS Generation GBV
- Ade Grange Child Foundation
- ADEM Community & Human Development Foundation
- Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF)
- Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI)
- Advocate for Health and Development Initiative
- African Women’s Initiative (AWI)
- Ajegunle Community Project
- Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation
- Alliances for Africa (AfA)
- Aminchi Women Cooperative Society
- ARDA Development Communication Inc.
- Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation
- Association Against Women Export/Association Against Women Exploitation and Degradation (AAWE/AAWED)
- ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF)
- Ayisha Osori
- Ayodeji Fadugba
- Baobab for Women’s Human Rights
- BLECCA Foundation
- Bring Back Our Girls
- Briskila Emefesi Women Foundation (BEWOF)
- Cece Yara Foundation
- Cedar Seed Foundation
- CEE-HOPE Nigeria
- Center for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities (CEEGA)
- Centre for Alternative Development and Self-Enhancement (CEADESE NG)
- Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA)
- Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN)
- Centre for Peace Education and Community Development
- Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN)
- Change Managers International Network
- Charity Women Spring of Salvation
- Chedal Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society
- Child Care and Adult Protection Initiative (CCAPI)
- Choung-Dung Women Association
- Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS)
- Christian Women in Nigerian Politics
- Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR)
- Community and Youth Development
- Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI)
- Community Initiative for Healthy and Peaceful Society 4
- Community Life Project (CLP)
- Community Partners for Development (CPD)
- Community Rescue Initiative (CRI)
- Community Women Initiatives
- Country Associates Network
- Courageous People Health and Development Initiative (CPHDL)
- Crestville Development Foundation
- Daria Media Foundation
- Development in Practice Gender and Entrepreneurial Initiative (DIPGEI)
- Dinidari Foundation
- Dorothy Njemanze Foundation
- Dream Alive Women and Orphans Support Foundation (DAWOS Foundation)
- Ebere Ifendu
- Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives
- Edo Women’s Development Initiative
- Education as a Vaccine (EVA)
- EiE Nigeria
- Emerge Women Development Initiative
- Empowerment and Action Research Centre
- Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF)
- Equity Advocates 65. FACICP Disability Plus
- FAME Foundation
- Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON)
- Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN)
- Federation of Paralegal Network (FEDPAN)
- Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)
- Fembridge Development Initiative (FEDI)
- First Future Leadership
- First Future Leadership Company/GTE
- Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FACE-PAM)
- Funke Baruwa
- Gender Action Awareness Trust
- Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN)
- Gender and Development Action (GADA)
- Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI)
- Gender Awareness Trust (GAT)
- Gender Development Initiative
- Gender Equality Center
- Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre
- Gender Strategy Advancement international
- Girl Child Advocacy and Education Initiatives
- Girl Child Education, Care & Rehabilitation
- Girl Education Rehabilitation and Care (GERAC)
- Girls Power Initiative (GPI)
- Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC)
- Global Liberation for Women 91. Green Spring Development Initiative
- Habiba Dangana (Hadis) Foundation
- Heal Disability Initiative
- Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative
- Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON)
- HEIR Women Development
- Help Initiative for Social Justice & Humanitarian Development
- Hope for New Life
- Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD)
- Inter-Gender Peace Foundation
- International Action Network on Small Arms – Women Network
- International Hairstylists, Barber and Body Therapists (IHSTOBAN)
- International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH)
- International Women Communication Centre
- Invictus Africa
- IROKO Charity Nigeria
- Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation
- Jamatul Nasir Islam, Women Wing
- Jana Health Foundation
- Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC)
- Justice Development and Peace Mission (JDPM)
- K/Mashi Gamji Women
- Kadaria Ahmed
- Kebetkache Women Development and Resources Centre
- Kimpact Initiatives
- Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)
- Kungiyar Tallafin Mata Development Initiative
- League of Queens International Empowerment
- League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV)
- Learning Skills Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI)
- Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP)
- Lift Initiative
- Mbono Iban Nsidung (Association of Henshaw Town Calabar Women)
- MBULA Women Association
- Media & Teens Network
- Media Concern Initiative
- Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome
- More Women in Politics
- My Future My Voice
- Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT)
- National Centre for Women Development
- National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)
- NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women
- Neighbourhood Care-Well Foundation
- Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN)
- Next Initiative for Gender Actions (NIGA)
- NGAS Women Farmers’ Cooperative Society
- Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ)
- Nigeria For Women Project
- Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Women Committee
- Nigeria Union Of Teachers (NUT)
- Nigerian Express
- Nigerian Women Politics Forum
- Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NTWF)
- Ogayem Merciful Care and Support Initiatives (OMCSI)
- Ogun Women Alive
- Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso
- Olive Community Development Initiatives
- Onomese Foundation
- Osi Joe Touching Lives Initiative
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Initiative (OLPHI)
- Ovie Brume Foundation
- Partners West Africa (PWAN)
- Peace Heritage Foundation
- Peasant Dragnet
- Princess Hamman-Obels
- Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI)
- Project Alert on Violence Against Women
- Ray of Hope Community Foundation
- Relief Development Initiative Kaduna
- Responsible Citizenship and Human Development Initiative
- She Forum Africa
- She4She Africa Initiative
- Shout Global Health
- Small-scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON) 7
- South-South Professional Women Association
- Stand to End Rape (STER) Initiative
- Stephanie Peace Building Development Foundation
- Support for Needy Children and Women Initiative (SUNCHI)
- TA’AWUNUL KHAIRRIYA-VOICE OF WOMEN AND CHILD INITIATIVE VOWCI
- TechHerNG
- The Access Foundation
- The Inclusion Project (TIP)
- The Priceless Jewels Foundation
- The Woman Today Newspaper (TWT)
- THR Media – HERFESSIONS INITIATIVE
- Tonia Bruised But Not Broken Foundation
- Transformation and Development Center (TDC)
- Transition Monitoring Group (TMG)
- Tunde & Friends Foundation (TAFF)
- UTO Foundation
- Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI)
- Voice of Ogun Women (VOW)
- West African Network for Peace
- Widows Development Organization (WIDO)
- Woman-Being Concern Nigeria
- Women & Youth Awareness Empowerment Network (WOYAEN)
- Women Action Organization (WAO) 8
- Women Advocacy, HIV Prevention and Other Diseases (WAHPOD)
- Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC)
- Women Aid Collective (WACOL)
- Women and Youth Empowerment for Advancement and Health Initiative
- Women Arise Development and Humanitarian Initiative
- Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)
- Women Education Advocacy and Development Initiatives (WEADI)
- Women Empowerment and Initiative Development
- Women Empowerment and Reproductive Health Centre (WERHC)
- Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI)
- Women Environmental Programme
- Women Farmers Alliance
- Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative (WOPEGEE)
- Women for Women International
- Women Foundation Initiative
- Women Foundation of Nigeria (WFN)
- Women in Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Center (WAPGADEC)
- Women in Africa Initiative
- Women in Agriculture
- Women in Extractives and Centre for Transparency Advocacy
- Women in Mining
- Women in Politics Forum
- Women Information Network (WINET)
- Women Initiative for Democracy and Empowerment (WIDE)
- Women Law and Development Initiative (WOLDI)
- Women Law Development Center of Nigeria (WLDCN)
- Women League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
- Women of Vision Development Initiative
- Women Optimum Development Foundation (WODEF)
- Women Protection Organization (WOPO)
- Women Right to Education Programme (WREP)
- Women Wing of The Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN)
- Women, Infants and Children Care Initiative (WICCI)
- Women, Youths and Children Advancement Program
- Women’s Crisis Centre Owerri
- Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP)
- Working Moms Africa
- Wumi Asubiaro-Dada
- Yeye Adenike Agnes Shobajo
- Yiaga Africa
- Youth Future Savers Initiative
- Zonta International Club of Lagos
