For Justice, Strategy, National Prosperity, Women Need Reserved Political Representation

 For Justice, Strategy, National Prosperity, Women Need Reserved Political Representation

-FIDA Nigeria 

By: Oriaifoh Godwins

The Federation of International women Lawyers Nigeria, Edo state chapter, has called on the federal government to create exclusive seats at the National Assembly, as well as at the state Houses Assemblies for women, arguing that women has been under represented in the political affairs of the country; saying, for justice, strategy, and national prosperity, women in Nigeria should be given exclusive seats in elective political positions.

Mrs. Rita Abah Lasoju making her presentation, as participants listen with keen interest

Mrs. Rita Abah Lasoju, the Assistant Manager, FIDA Nigeria, said this, while presenting a paper on the theme: "The Need For Women Representation in Nigeria The Reserved Seat Bill Prospects, and Challenges" and another Paper On "Unraveling Women Political Participation Vis-a-Vis voters Turnouts in Nigeria", in a Town hall meeting that held at a Emery Vida Hotel, in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo state, on Saturday, the 14th of June 2025.

Participants at the Town Hall meeting, in a group photograph with some members of FIDO Nigeria, Edo state Chapter

Speaking, Mrs. Abah  who defined 'Reserved Seat' as a Temporary Special Measure, TSM, in the context of the gender bill, to increase women's access to political participation and decision making in other to overcome structural barriers that women face in male dominated electoral politics saying, gender quota, is an example of TSM.

Justifying the need for the Bill to be passed by the National Assembly, and be assented to by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs. Abah said; "...women have been marginalized in political processes over the years and the bill seeks to correct the imbalances. The benefits of the bill, according to her, include female representation in decision making and political bodies and  improved responsiveness to the needs and concerns of the population, amongst others. The reserved seat, or Specific Seat Bill, she said, is a proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to create additional legislative seats for women only, as a temporary measure, to increase female representation in governance and decision making in Nigeria.

Supporting her claims with facts and figures, Mrs. Abah concluded by saying, as at February 2022 the International Parliamentary Union, IPU, ranking of 192 countries, based on women's representation in their countries' Parliament, revealed that Nigeria was in 184th position out of 192 countries, representing 3.6%; that is, women occupied 13 seats out of 136 seats at the lower Chamber, and 7.3% which is 8 seats was occupied by women out of 106 seats at the upper chamber.

The conclusion of FIDA's request for women's exclusive seats boils down to one additional Senator for each state and the Federal Capital Territory, totalling 37 more Senators and for the House of Representatives, one additional more for each state and the federal capital territory totalling 74 more seats who shall be exclusively women and for the state Houses of Assemblies, 108 more Seats specially for women,

are demanded meaning three exclusive seats for women in each state. According to her, studies carried out, shows that, the cost of governance can be maintained by at most 1% cut across the budget spendings to cater for additional women reserved seats.

Princess Francisca Elema, Chairperson FIDA Nigeria, Edo state Chapter, amongst other Members of the Organization, was present at the event.

People from different walks of life, attended the meeting.