The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has lamented the low level of women participation in the political space of Nigeria. He assured that the ongoing Constitution Review exercise will seek to address the perceived gender imbalance.
This is even as he has stressed that emerging facts strongly indicate that President Bola Tinubu is sincerely amenable to any move that will ensure enough accommodation for the womenfolk in the political architecture of the country.
Rt. Hon. Kalu gave the assurance on Monday, March, 4, 2024, in Abuja while speaking at the ongoing Roundtable on Women iqnclusion In politics jointly organized by Policy And Legal Advocacy Centre, Yiaga Africa, Nigeria Women Trust Fund and the European Union.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Livinus Nwabughiogu, the Deputy Speaker, who is, also, the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution review, said that the reservation of seats and adoption of electoral quota for women will greatly assist in encouraging more women participation in politics, as well as scale up the ranking of Nigeria among comity of democratic Nations.
He noted that the ongoing constitution review exercise and the ” body language” of president Tinubu are strong pointers that the inclusion of women in politics will be realized .
“The Giant of Africa ( Nigeria) is the least on the list of women participation in politics in Africa. It is not good at all.
“Does the President know this? The answer is yes. Is he in support of such exclusion? No. Is he willing to take it to the next level? Yes.
“Are there evidences to show that he believes in that ,or is his body language towards that? Yes. Check and you will find out that the First Lady was supported by him to be at the parliament for a very long time .
“Himself, (the President) was, also, at the Parliament. He understands what you are talking about.
“The Vice president was at the parliament. The Chief of Staff was, also, there. The Secretary to Government of the Federation was part of the parliament and, I am happy that his wife ( SGF wife) is with us at the House of Representatives .
“Why am I making all these references ? I am making them to reassure you that the body language of the current administration is to the fact that we want more women in politics and a friend of mine supported his wife and the wife is here and she is at the Parliament.
“There is hope that it is going to be better and we are going to leverage this renewed hope that is found in the body language of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . And I hope that he is going to assent to the bill we will put together at the parliament” Kalu stated.
“The Deputy Speaker, however, highlighted some measures which could promote more women participation in politics to include, addressing deeply rooted barriers such as discriminatory laws ,and practices – cultural biases, patriarchal attitudes and entrenched gender stereotype and unequal access to resources.
According to the Deputy Speaker, these are formidable challenges that demand collective attention, noting that efforts should be directed at dismantling the obstacles ,with a view to creating the enabling environment for women to thrive in politics.
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