The vice president of the House of Representatives and the review committee of the President's Constitution, Hon. Benjamin Kalu said Friday that the low representation of women in governance can lead to the underutilization of talent, limited innovation and lost opportunities for economic growth.
Excmo Kalu declared this in Abuja while pronouncing his comments on a legislative night about the political representation of women, organized by the Special Committee to review the Constitution of the Constitution in association with the Center for Political and Legal Defense (LAC) and the European Union (EU).
The vice president who sponsored and advocates the approval of the Constitution's alteration bill to provide special seats for women in national and state assembly houses, cited an investigation that suggests that Nigeria could earn up to 9% in GDP growth by 2025 with a better participation of women.
Also read: FG approves the promotion of 95 main officers of paramilitary agencies
He regretted that Nigeria remains among the lowest worldwide for the representation of women in Parliament, with only 20 of 469 seats of the National Assembly held by women and several state assemblies without female members at all.
He also regretted that the electoral system of the first step (FPTP), party nomination practices and entrenched sociocultural norms create significant obstacles for women looking for a legislative position.
The vice president who expresses optimism that the Special Seating Law Project will address chronic sub -presentation creating additional seats only for women in national and state assemblies as a special temporary measure, said it will not be a burden on government finances.
According to him, the additional cost of 74 women's legislators in the National Assembly is less than 1% of the national budget and less than 5% of the National Assembly budget.
Excmo Kalu added that the legal and constitutional measures to improve the representation of women deserve urgent and broad support in the interest of Nigeria's development, development and global position.
He said: “Nigeria could obtain a 9% increase in GDP growth by 2025 with a better participation of women. That is what statistics have demonstrated. Then, which means that we are losing a 9% growth in our GDP because women do not participate. Therefore, this is one of the motivating factors to impose this bill. Some gender bills, the policies, policies of the policies of the policies of which women are treated of man in his absence.
“I am not afraid that if we do our part, that Mr. President will nod. I say it because he is friendly with the genre. He was the man who allowed the wife to go and senator. And then he went home. And he was sitting at home and watching the wife on television, you know, representing his people.
“Only a few people, you know, can do that. And because he is a genre sensitive president, you know, he can accept it. I am not afraid. I think the president with respect to how he wants to transform this country. It is not a political talk.
“The measure is subject to review after four general electoral cycles (16 years), ensuring that it is a permanent intervention, not a permanent intervention. These new seats do not affect existing constituencies and are chosen directly, ensuring legitimacy and responsibility. Women remain eligible to dispute all regular seats.
“Women in special seats have the same privileges and responsibilities as other legislators. After 16 years, the provision will be reevaluated for the continuation, modification or repeal.
“The bill requires a two -thirds majority in both cameras of the National Assembly and the approval of at least 24 state assemblies, followed by a presidential assent. The reserved seat model is the most feasible and effective option within the current electoral framework of Nigeria. The built -in sunset clause ensures that the measure remains a temporary catization for change, not a permanent fixation.
“A strategic imperative for national development Democratic legitimacy: true democracy requires legislatures that reflect the diversity of the population, including women. It is engendering an inclusive governance structure is not only a matter of equity but a strategic economic imperative of Fornigeria Futura.“