By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) As the bill for alteration of the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 to provide for Seat Reservation for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly takes enter stage, the Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), Mr. Clement Nwankwo has stated that the creation of special seats for women at party levels in the constitution will enhance their participation in decision-making.
He said the constitution alteration bill been considered seeks to remedy the low representation of women in Legislative Houses by providing for the creation of additional separate seats to be contested and filled by only women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly as a temporary measure to promote women’s representation.
He made this know on monday in Abuja, while speaking to Journalists during the international legislative dialogue on women and constitution amendment in Nigeria organized by PLAC in conjuction with the European Union and the House Committee on Constitution Review,
Mr Clement emphasized the need to increase women’s representation in Nigeria’s state Assemblies and the National Assembly, which is currently at less than 4%
The provision is a temporary special measure as it is subjected to a review after four general election cycles of sixteen years for the purpose of either retaining, increasing, or abolishing the temporary measure.
According to him, “This is convened to have a conversation and discussion and build consensus on the important need to increase the levels of women representation in Nigeria’s legislative houses, which is the state assemblies and the National Assembly.
“At the present time, you have less than 4% of women represented across the state bodies in the country. So the essence here is to sensitize, build up momentum and support, so that the number of women who are represented in the National Assembly and in the State House of Assemblies will increase
“Out of the 990 members of state Houses of Assembly, only 55 are women. And at the National Assembly, out of the 469 members of the National Assembly, you have just about 20 who are women.
“For us who believe in equality of rights, It is important that the National assembly takes this very seriously. The state Houses of assemble take this seriously, and hopefully there is a passage to an alteration to the Constitution to allow for special seats to be created for women, so that you have more women represented in decision making in the country.
“At the party level, they need to provide a more conducive opportunity and environment for women to compete with men for the seats that are already existing in the Constitution,” he said.
“
