Writing by Naomi Anzaku;Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
Women’s organisations in Kaduna State have called on lawmakers to urgently pass the Special Seats for Women Bill to boost female participation in Nigeria’s political process.
The groups, led by the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS), Kaduna State chapter, made the call during a visit to submit a petition to the lawmaker representing Kaduna, Bello El-Rufai.
Presenting the petition, the State President of NCWS, Zainab Hassan, said the demand for reserved seats reflects the growing insistence of Nigerian women on inclusive governance and equitable representation in decision-making.
“We are here to submit our petition concerning the reserved seats for women, which is yet to be passed. We want Honourable Bello El-Rufai to facilitate the passage of the bill,” she said.
Hassan explained that the rally and petition submission are part of a coordinated nationwide action across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, demonstrating unity and commitment among women.
She noted that the mobilisation underscores the urgency of addressing gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political space.
“Women consistently turn out to vote, often under challenging conditions. This petition carries significant weight because women are no longer begging; we are urging lawmakers to act and ensure full inclusion in governance,” she added.
According to her, the move marks a shift from advocacy to firm demands for representation.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the lawmaker, Umar Abubakar Sambo commended the groups for their courage and commitment to advancing women’s participation in governance.
He assured them that their message would be conveyed and expressed optimism about a positive outcome.
The advocacy effort is backed by a coalition of organisations, including the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria, and the International Federation of Women Lawyers, among others.
Cov/Naomi Anzaku.
