A town hall meeting in Calabar saw legal and civil society leaders intensify calls for a seat reservation for women bill. The event, organised by the Gender and Development Action in collaboration with UN Women and the Canadian government, focused on boosting political participation for women in Nigeria.
Representatives, traditional leaders, and activists gathered to discuss the proposed Special Seat Bill, officially known as the Seat Reservation for Women Bill. The meeting attracted participants from various sectors, including political figures, civil society groups, and religious organisations. Speakers stressed that the bill would secure reserved seats for women in the Senate, House of Representatives, and state assemblies. They urged lawmakers to pass the bill to create an inclusive political landscape.
Programme Manager Nnenna Ugbor presented the event with a talk titled “Advancing Women’s Political Presentation: An Overview of the Special Seats Bill and the Path to Inclusive Governance in Nigeria.” Ugbor argued that decades of low women representation must change. She noted that women only held 6.4 percent of seats in previous assemblies. Ugbor stressed that passing the bill would help balance political power.
A board member of the Gender and Development Action, Richard Inoyo, called for the quota system to empower women in decision-making roles. He said the bill would honour the legacy of trailblazers such as Margaret Ekpo and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Meanwhile, citizens and stakeholders urged the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly on the bill. They stressed that Nigeria must pass legislation that upholds equality for all.
The town hall ignited widespread debate on the bill. Participants argued that the bill would not only promote gender equality but also strengthen democracy in Nigeria. They discussed ways to overcome cultural barriers and misinformation about women in politics. The event generated significant media attention and social media buzz, as many young women and aspiring leaders expressed their support.
The meeting ended with a call for continuous dialogue among lawmakers and civil society groups. Organisers committed to following up on the bill’s progress and ensuring that the public remains engaged. The campaign marks a turning point for women in Nigeria’s political sphere, as stakeholders push for meaningful change in governance.
