Senate President Godswill Akpabio has pledged that the 10th National Assembly (NASS) will fast-track the consideration of gender-based bills during the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Speaking at a workshop for female legislators in Abuja, organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and UN-Women, Akpabio emphasized the importance of gender-responsive legislation. “Investing in gender-responsive legislation and budgeting is crucial for addressing these gaps in governance and development,” he stated.
Akpabio acknowledged past failures, noting that five gender bills presented to the 9th Assembly in 2022 did not succeed. He vowed that the 10th Assembly would support the women’s caucus and ensure swift passage and effective implementation of gender equality bills.
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas also addressed the issue, highlighting the significant underrepresentation of women in politics and other sectors. He criticized the current 3.91% women’s representation in the 10th Assembly as insufficient compared to other African nations, stressing the urgency of a gender-responsive legislature.
In March 2022, NASS rejected five key bills aimed at enhancing women’s participation in governance. These included proposals for reserved legislative seats for women, affirmative action in party administration, expanded citizenship rights for foreign spouses of Nigerian women, and quotas in executive positions.
