The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has intensified advocacy for the Special Seats Bill, describing it as critical to improving women’s representation in Nigeria’s political space.
This formed part of discussions at the All Progressives Congress North-Central sensitisation programme on the proposed legislation, where stakeholders called for urgent passage of the bill to strengthen democratic inclusion.
Speaking at the event, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, stressed that the Special Seats Bill remains a key pathway to addressing the persistent underrepresentation of women in governance.
Eyong noted that increasing women’s participation in legislative processes would not only promote equity but also enhance the quality of decision-making in the country.
Also speaking, the National Women Leader of the APC, Dr Mary Alile, described the bill as a necessary response to the declining number of women in elective positions across Nigeria.
She said the proposed legislation goes beyond political inclusion, framing it as a matter of justice, fairness and national development.
According to her, ensuring women’s presence in legislative bodies is essential to building a more balanced and representative democracy.
Stakeholders at the programme highlighted growing grassroots mobilisation in support of the bill, noting that women across the 360 federal constituencies have begun submitting petitions to push for its passage.
They described the momentum as a significant shift in advocacy efforts aimed at securing a stronger voice for women in legislative decision-making.
The Special Seats Bill seeks to create additional seats for women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly as a temporary measure to bridge the gender gap in politics.
Advocates say its passage would mark a major step toward achieving inclusive governance and gender equality in Nigeria.