ABUJA- Gender advocates have said the proposed Constitutional amendment bill to reserve parliamentary seats for women could significantly reduce gender-based abuse and violence in Nigeria, if passed into law.
NAN reports that the bill, currently under consideration by the National Assembly, is part of an ongoing constitutional review led by the House of Representatives.
It proposes the creation of one reserved Senate seat per State and the Federal Capital Territory (37 in total), one additional seat per State in the House of Representatives (another 37), and three seats per state in each State House of Assembly, all to be contested exclusively by women.
Nigeria currently ranks among the lowest globally in female political representation, with women occupying less than five per cent seats in the federal legislature, inspite of making up nearly half of the country’s population.
There are arguements that the lack of women in governance contributes to the systemic neglect of issues like sexual violence, maternal health, education for girls, and social protection. (NAN)
