The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has launched a nationwide initiative to mobilize citizens at the state and community levels in support of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently before the Joint Constitutional Reform Committees of the National Assembly.
The initiative, backed by UN Women Nigeria and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), is part of the broader Advancing Women’s Inclusion and Representation in Leadership and Political Processes in Nigeria project. It will be implemented across nine states: Anambra, Enugu (South East), Edo (South South), Oyo (South West), Kogi (North Central), Adamawa (North East), and Sokoto, Kano, and Jigawa (North West).
In a statement, FIDA Nigeria’s Country Vice President, Mrs. Eliana Martins, said the campaign seeks to foster public consensus and drive advocacy for constitutional amendments that will secure special reserved seats for women in Nigeria’s National and State Assemblies.
“Our aim is to engage stakeholders through regular consultations, co-create solutions, and consolidate community input into a draft memorandum to be presented during public hearings at the National Assembly,” Martins said.
The initiative targets the inclusion of 37 additional reserved seats each in the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives, and up to 108 in State Houses of Assembly.
Mr. Fikih Obaro, Senior Manager for Programs and Partnerships at FIDA Nigeria, emphasized that the effort was focused on creating a gender-responsive legal framework through strategic collaborations with both governmental and non-governmental actors.
He noted that the project’s core objective is to strengthen advocacy for exclusive women’s representation, paving the way for inclusive and equitable governance across Nigeria.
“Increasing public awareness and support in advancing women political participation and representation through the constitution amendment process.
“Aggregating demands and advocacy asks through a draft memorandum from citizens towards improving women representation in governance and political process.
“Securing commitments from National and State Houses of Assembly by building a passage for 74 additional exclusive Special Seats for Women at the National Assembly and 108 Seats at the State Houses of Assembly through Constitutional Amendment/Review process”, Obaro added.
Mrs. Martins therefore encouraged the public to support all efforts to advance the representation and participation of women in Nigerian politics.
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