The Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mrs. Lami Danladi-Ogenyi, has called for the immediate passage of the ‘Reserved Seats for Women Bill’ currently before the National Assembly.
The bill was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu to allow more women to participate in politics.
Speaking to journalists in Makurdi on Thursday, Vice President Danladi-Ogenyi said she fully supports the bill which she said was part of the meeting of the vice presidents and the presentation of the report of the joint committees on review of the Constitution, as well as the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja recently.
According to her, the bill remains the only way to correct long-standing gender imbalances and ensure that women enter the political circle and actively participate in all electoral processes.
She added that the bill is not just legislation but a rallying point for inclusivity, democracy and nation building, where women with political ambitions to participate in politics can be granted the same desired opportunities to serve their country.
He called on members of the National Assembly to make history by giving their full support and ensure that the bill receives prompt attention and becomes law.
Mrs. Danladi-Ogenyi congratulated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu for anchoring and championing the direction of women in politics in Nigeria.
According to her, “Vice President of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, single-handedly introduced this bill to create special seats for women to enhance their participation in politics, which in fact encouraged them. This should be commendable.
“We need more women in politics. I really appreciate the spokesperson for the bill to reserve special seats for women. We need more women in politics and that is why we are advocating and pushing for 35% affirmative action for women. This needs to be implemented because we want more women in politics. If the law is passed and implemented, it would help many women who have the ambition to enter the political circle.
“Women are now afraid to enter the political circle, even when they are willing to do so. They are afraid of how men oppressed them by not giving them space to compete for elected positions,” she said.
Mrs Danladi-Ogenyi, who represents Ado State Constituency, insisted that passing the bill would bring Nigeria closer to international standards on gender inclusion and reflect its democratic values.