Amina Anebi Kaduna
Few days after the 2025, International Women's Day Celebration (IWD), the Kaduna State government pledges full support for women seat in the parliament, and women right on the society and country at large.
The Commissioner of Human Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu made this known during the flag off of " Her Seat in Parliament and Governance Campaign, Ward to Ward"in Kaduna State.
The program which was organized by League of Women Voters of Nigeria, NILOWV in collaboration with Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ held at the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Secretariat in Kaduna.
Represented by the Deputy Director Gender Affairs in the Ministry, Mrs Lami Usman, Hajiya Salisu noted that the state government would continue to give women the necessary support and empowerment to be self reliant both economically, politically, socially and financially.
Hajiya Salisu emphasized that the ministry under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani would continue to engage women through it sensitization and empowerment programmes for the overall development of communities and in turn the whole nation, saying once a woman is empowered, the entire communities and nation is affected positively.
In her welcome address, the Kaduna State Chairperson League of Women Voters of Nigeria, NILOWV , Barrister Julie Ariahu explained that Her Seat in Parliament and Governance, Ward to Ward Campaign is aimed at supporting the seventy-four Special seat bill and thirty-five percent affirmative action across board from local government level to National.
Adding that , the initiative is essential for Nigeria's development as the country under goes constitutional review as well as for more equitable and just society.
"As we gather today, we mark a significant milestone in our journey towards a more inclusive and equitable society. The league of Women Voters of Nigeria, NILOWV and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ are proud to launch the Ward 2 Ward Her Seat in Parliament and Governance Campaign across the 774 local government in Nigeria, We find this a golden opportunity to put Nigeria on the rader of inclusive Nations", she said.
According to her, the National Gender Policy recommend fifty percent representation, but yet about fifteen states in Nigeria have no woman in their state Assembly.
"Despite Nigeria's commitment to International affirmative laws, including the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, CEDAW and the African Charter on Human and People's Right, Women remain under represented in governance", she said.
While citing examples of African countries like Rwanda and Tanzania, she explained that research has shown that special seats in Parliament have been instrumental in increasing women's representation in government world wide and called on Nigeria to follow the footsteps of those countries.
In her goodwill message, the National President of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha K. Bura who was represented by the North- West Vice President, Comrade Rabi Muhammad Gwadabawa who spoke through her Secretary, Comrade Daharatu Ahmed Aliyu explained that NAWOJ has given its full support towards the advocacy for 74 Special seats Bill in Parliament and 35 Percent Affirmative action across board from local government levels to National level in Nigeria.
She congratulated NILOWV and NAWOJ Kaduna State Chapter for the successful flag off of Her Seat in Parliament and Governance Ward to Ward Campaign, saying Kaduna State is the first state in the North-west to do so, and called on other states in the zone to key into it.
Comrade Aisha believe that, women will be given her rightful place in the affairs of the country and called on the women to keep the flag flying.
Similarly , a former law maker in the fourth Assembly, Representing Kaura constituency, Comrade Florence Aya said that for the past two decades she has gotten minimal outcome of her mentorship for women to be fully involved in politics in the country, saying Her seat in Parliament and Governance bill is the only way forward.
While citing examples of countries like Burundi, South Africa, Ghana and Rwanda, the former law maker appealed to government to see the need for the bill to be passed into law, saying it should be a deliberate and cautious steps to give more women seats in Nigeria being the giant of Africa.
Kaduna State Acting Chairperson of NAWOJ, Hajiya Sahura Jibrin Maidoki said NAWOJ Kaduna State Chapter and NILOWV is committed and kick the ball rolling in the right course, right from the National level and promised to give the best publicity and sensitization across the twenty- three local government areas of Kaduna State.
Comrade Sahura said , women over time have proven beyond doubts that they would play a vital role towards the development of the country, hence they should be given more inclusion in decision making process in the country.
Commenting, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Chairman Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman who commended the efforts of NILOWV and NAWOJ in amplifying women's voice in the country, pledged total support for the special seats bill and urged the women to have faith and be committed in achieving it.
On their part, the representatives of International Federation of Female Lawyers, FIDA, National Council of Women Societies, NCWS, Inter Faith Council, Inter Party Advisory Council, Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria, WOWICAN, Multi Door Court House ADR and Jam Iyyar Matan Arewa among others all support the call for the special seats for women in Parliament and Governance and prayed that the bill should be passed into law for the development of Nigeria.
Highlight of the event is the unveiling of the National emblem of Her seats in Parliament and Governance, Ward to Ward Campaign by the Commissioner Human Services and Social Development, Hajiya Rabi Salisu
The flagging-off up, is coming at a period when the highest legislative organ in Nigeria is embroiled in a sexual harassment allegations between a female member and it's presiding officer.
Without prejudice to the outcome of the ethics committee's investigation of the matter, as issues of sexual mortality among our high public officials needs to be taken more seriously.
Indeed , according to the Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU), Nigeria ranks in the bottom 10 globally in women's representation in the national parliaments. But the poor representation is not restricted to the national assembly. The situation is worse in the state house of assembly across the country by recent reports, in 15 states across the country there is not even a single female lawmaker in their assemblies.
Stakeholders in Nigeria must come to terms with the fact that our women deserve a better deal, they have proved wrong the erroneous notion imposed by patriarchy that women are inferiyto men.
The meeting agree that women must therefore join the force to fight all form of discrimination that continue to keep them and our country down, for more voices of women to be heard in parliament across the land, they should b raided to break the " power gap".
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