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WOMANIFESTO insists on passage of Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill

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  • 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:  abiolaak@yahoo.com

List of WOMANIFESTO Member Organizations

  1. 100 Women Lobby Group 
  2. 9jafeminista 
  3. Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls 
  4. Above Whispers Media Foundation 
  5. Action Aid Nigeria  
  6. ACTS Generation GBV 
  7. Ade Grange Child Foundation 
  8. ADEM Community & Human Development Foundation 
  9. Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF) 
  10. Advocacy for Women with Disabilities Initiative (AWWDI)
  11. Advocate for Health and Development Initiative 
  12. African Women’s Initiative (AWI) 
  13. Ajegunle Community Project 
  14. Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation 
  15. Alliances for Africa (AfA) 
  16. Aminchi Women Cooperative Society 
  17. ARDA Development Communication Inc. 
  18. Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation 
  19. Association Against Women Export/Association Against Women Exploitation and Degradation (AAWE/AAWED)
  20. ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF) 
  21. Ayisha Osori 
  22. Ayodeji Fadugba
  23. Baobab for Women’s Human Rights 
  24. BLECCA Foundation 
  25. Bring Back Our Girls 
  26. Briskila Emefesi Women Foundation (BEWOF) 
  27. Cece Yara Foundation 
  28. Cedar Seed Foundation 
  29. CEE-HOPE Nigeria 
  30. Center for Economic Empowerment and Gender Activities (CEEGA) 
  31. Centre for Alternative Development and Self-Enhancement (CEADESE NG) 
  32. Centre for Health and Development in Africa (CHEDA) 
  33. Centre for Nonviolence and Gender Advocacy in Nigeria (CENGAIN) 
  34. Centre for Peace Education and Community Development 
  35. Centre for Women’s Health and Information (CEWHIN) 
  36. Change Managers International Network 
  37. Charity Women Spring of Salvation 
  38. Chedal Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society 
  39. Child Care and Adult Protection Initiative (CCAPI) 
  40. Choung-Dung Women Association 
  41. Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS) 
  42. Christian Women in Nigerian Politics 
  43. Citizens Center for Integrated Development and Social Rights (CCIDESOR) 
  44. Community and Youth Development 
  45. Community Education Advancement of Peace and Development Initiative (CEAPDI) 
  46. Community Initiative for Healthy and Peaceful Society 4 
  47. Community Life Project (CLP) 
  48. Community Partners for Development (CPD)
  49. Community Rescue Initiative (CRI) 
  50. Community Women Initiatives
  51. Country Associates Network 
  52. Courageous People Health and Development Initiative (CPHDL) 
  53. Crestville Development Foundation 
  54. Daria Media Foundation 
  55. Development in Practice Gender and Entrepreneurial Initiative (DIPGEI) 
  56. Dinidari Foundation 
  57. Dorothy Njemanze Foundation 
  58. Dream Alive Women and Orphans Support Foundation (DAWOS Foundation) 
  59. Ebere Ifendu
  60. Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives 
  61. Edo Women’s Development Initiative 
  62. Education as a Vaccine (EVA) 
  63. EiE Nigeria 
  64. Emerge Women Development Initiative 
  65. Empowerment and Action Research Centre 
  66. Equality Through Education Foundation (ETEF) 
  67. Equity Advocates 65. FACICP Disability Plus 
  68. FAME Foundation 
  69. Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON) 
  70. Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN) 
  71. Federation of Paralegal Network (FEDPAN) 
  72. Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) 
  73. Fembridge Development Initiative (FEDI) 
  74. First Future Leadership 
  75. First Future Leadership Company/GTE 
  76. Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FACE-PAM) 
  77. Funke Baruwa
  78. Gender Action Awareness Trust 
  79. Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN) 
  80. Gender and Development Action (GADA) 
  81. Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI) 
  82. Gender Awareness Trust (GAT) 
  83. Gender Development Initiative 
  84. Gender Equality Center
  85. Gender Equality, Peace and Development Centre
  86. Gender Strategy Advancement international 
  87. Girl Child Advocacy and Education Initiatives 
  88. Girl Child Education, Care & Rehabilitation 
  89. Girl Education Rehabilitation and Care (GERAC) 
  90. Girls Power Initiative (GPI)
  91. Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC)
  92. Global Liberation for Women 91. Green Spring Development Initiative 
  93. Habiba Dangana (Hadis) Foundation 
  94. Heal Disability Initiative
  95. Health Education and Human Rights Advocacy Initiative 
  96. Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) 
  97. HEIR Women Development 
  98. Help Initiative for Social Justice & Humanitarian Development 
  99. Hope for New Life 
  100. Initiative for Research, Innovation and Advocacy in Development (IRIAD) 
  101. Inter-Gender Peace Foundation 
  102. International Action Network on Small Arms – Women Network 
  103. International Hairstylists, Barber and Body Therapists (IHSTOBAN) 
  104. International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) 
  105. International Women Communication Centre 
  106. Invictus Africa
  107. IROKO Charity Nigeria
  108. Iyaniwura Children Care Foundation 
  109. Jamatul Nasir Islam, Women Wing 
  110. Jana Health Foundation 
  111. Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) 
  112. Justice Development and Peace Mission (JDPM) 
  113. K/Mashi Gamji Women 
  114. Kadaria Ahmed 
  115. Kebetkache Women Development and Resources Centre 
  116. Kimpact Initiatives 
  117. Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) 
  118. Kungiyar Tallafin Mata Development Initiative 
  119. League of Queens International Empowerment 
  120. League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) 
  121. Learning Skills Through Skills Acquisition Initiative (LETSAI) 
  122. Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) 
  123. Lift Initiative 
  124. Mbono Iban Nsidung (Association of Henshaw Town Calabar Women)
  125. MBULA Women Association 
  126. Media & Teens Network
  127. Media Concern Initiative 
  128. Mojubaolu Olufunke Okome
  129. More Women in Politics 
  130. My Future My Voice 
  131. Nasrul – Lahi-L- Faith Society (NASFAT) 
  132. National Centre for Women Development 
  133. National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) 
  134. NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women 
  135. Neighbourhood Care-Well Foundation 
  136. Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) 
  137. Next Initiative for Gender Actions (NIGA) 
  138. NGAS Women Farmers’ Cooperative Society 
  139. Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) 
  140. Nigeria For Women Project 
  141. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Women Committee 
  142. Nigeria Union Of Teachers (NUT) 
  143. Nigerian Express 
  144. Nigerian Women Politics Forum 
  145. Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NTWF) 
  146. Ogayem Merciful Care and Support Initiatives (OMCSI) 
  147. Ogun Women Alive 
  148. Olajumoke Yacob-Haliso
  149. Olive Community Development Initiatives 
  150. Onomese Foundation 
  151. Osi Joe Touching Lives Initiative 
  152. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Initiative (OLPHI) 
  153. Ovie Brume Foundation 
  154. Partners West Africa (PWAN) 
  155. Peace Heritage Foundation
  156. Peasant Dragnet 
  157. Princess Hamman-Obels
  158. Proactive Gender Initiative (PGI) 
  159. Project Alert on Violence Against Women 
  160. Ray of Hope Community Foundation 
  161. Relief Development Initiative Kaduna 
  162. Responsible Citizenship and Human Development Initiative 
  163. She Forum Africa 
  164. She4She Africa Initiative 
  165. Shout Global Health 
  166. Small-scale Women Farmers Organization of Nigeria (SWOFON) 7 
  167. South-South Professional Women Association 
  168. Stand to End Rape (STER) Initiative
  169. Stephanie Peace Building Development Foundation 
  170. Support for Needy Children and Women Initiative (SUNCHI)
  171. TA’AWUNUL KHAIRRIYA-VOICE OF WOMEN AND CHILD INITIATIVE VOWCI
  172. TechHerNG
  173. The Access Foundation 
  174. The Inclusion Project (TIP) 
  175. The Priceless Jewels Foundation 
  176. The Woman Today Newspaper (TWT) 
  177. THR Media – HERFESSIONS INITIATIVE 
  178. Tonia Bruised But Not Broken Foundation 
  179. Transformation and Development Center (TDC) 
  180. Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) 
  181. Tunde & Friends Foundation (TAFF) 
  182. UTO Foundation 
  183. Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI) 
  184. Voice of Ogun Women (VOW) 
  185. West African Network for Peace 
  186. Widows Development Organization (WIDO) 
  187. Woman-Being Concern Nigeria 
  188. Women & Youth Awareness Empowerment Network (WOYAEN) 
  189. Women Action Organization (WAO) 8 
  190. Women Advocacy, HIV Prevention and Other Diseases (WAHPOD) 
  191. Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) 
  192. Women Aid Collective (WACOL) 
  193. Women and Youth Empowerment for Advancement and Health Initiative 
  194. Women Arise Development and Humanitarian Initiative
  195. Women Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON) 
  196. Women Education Advocacy and Development Initiatives (WEADI) 
  197. Women Empowerment and Initiative Development 
  198. Women Empowerment and Reproductive Health Centre (WERHC) 
  199. Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI) 
  200. Women Environmental Programme
  201. Women Farmers Alliance 
  202. Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative (WOPEGEE) 
  203. Women for Women International 
  204. Women Foundation Initiative 
  205. Women Foundation of Nigeria (WFN) 
  206. Women in Action for Positive Development and Gender Enhancement Center (WAPGADEC) 
  207. Women in Africa Initiative 
  208. Women in Agriculture 
  209. Women in Extractives and Centre for Transparency Advocacy
  210. Women in Mining 
  211. Women in Politics Forum 
  212. Women Information Network (WINET) 
  213. Women Initiative for Democracy and Empowerment (WIDE) 
  214. Women Law and Development Initiative (WOLDI) 
  215. Women Law Development Center of Nigeria (WLDCN) 
  216. Women League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) 
  217. Women of Vision Development Initiative 
  218. Women Optimum Development Foundation (WODEF) 
  219. Women Protection Organization (WOPO) 
  220. Women Right to Education Programme (WREP) 
  221. Women Wing of The Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) 
  222. Women, Infants and Children Care Initiative (WICCI) 
  223. Women, Youths and Children Advancement Program 
  224. Women’s Crisis Centre Owerri 
  225. Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) 
  226. Working Moms Africa 
  227. Wumi Asubiaro-Dada 
  228. Yeye Adenike Agnes Shobajo
  229. Yiaga Africa 
  230. Youth Future Savers Initiative 
  231. Zonta International Club of Lagos

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