By Ayodele Oni
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Abass Tajudeen on Monday met state assembly Speakers on gender-based violence and constitution amendment bills among others.
Tajudeen stated that affirmative action for women is not a privilege and undemocratic, but a corrective measure that must be taken to ensure fairness and gender balance in the polity.
The Speaker pointed out it has become necessary to mainstream women’s and gender issues in the constitution, statutes, policies, and budgetary processes of Nigeria.
Special Adviser on Media to the Speaker, Musa Abdullahi Krishi stated that these were contained in the Speaker’s keynote address at a session with Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to mark the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) held at the National Assembly on
“This action signified our resolve to combat violence against Nigerian women and to reinforce our collective commitment to creating a safer and more equitable society.”
The Speaker noted that the 16 days had served as a rallying point, uniting diverse stakeholders in a shared mission to protect and empower women and girls across Nigeria.
He also noted that the National Assembly has long been at the forefront of the fight against GBV and the advocacy for greater women’s representation.
According to him, since 1999, the parliament has championed transformative legislative reforms, including the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act; the Child’s Rights Act, and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act.
The Speaker further noted that the 10th House has amplified these efforts through its Legislative Agenda, which prioritises constitutional reforms to promote women’s political participation and representation.
Abbas stated that the agenda reflects the parliament’s recognition of the indispensable role women play in governance and the broader societal fabric.
“Women are the cornerstone of our families and communities, yet their political representation remains unacceptably low.
“This imbalance must change, not for improved statistics, but for the transformative value women bring to governance, leadership, and policymaking.”
While emphasising that the importance of eradicating GBV and promoting women’s representation cannot be overstated, he opined that a society that protects its women and leverages their potential is one that secures its future.
“Women are the glue that holds our families and communities together. Despite this, systemic barriers, including cultural norms, economic inequality, and inadequate legal protections, have hindered their full participation in political and public life.
“Recognising past pitfalls, we have commenced the constitutional amendment process early to allow for extensive consultation and consensus-building.
“These efforts go beyond tokenism. Affirmative action for women is not undemocratic; it is a necessary corrective measure to address historical inequities and unlock our nation’s full potential.
“Many African countries, such as Rwanda and South Africa, have successfully enshrined affirmative action in their constitutions.”
The Speaker said state Houses of Assembly are pivotal to achieving meaningful constitutional reforms, adding that the active participation and support of state speakers are crucial in ensuring that gender-focused amendments and legislation are adopted at the sub-national level.
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