WOMANIFESTO insists on passage of Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill

• 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 10^th 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 9^th 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