Women group advocate gender-inclusive constitution

The Women’s Political Participation Working Group and UN Women have called for a gender-inclusive constitution to foster national development and enhance women’s participation in politics.

The group made the call in Abuja, during the Coordination and Strategy Meeting on Action Reforms to Increase Women’s Political Representation in the ongoing constitution review process.

Professor Joy Ezeilo, an activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, presented a paper on Constitution Review and Gender Bills, urging the 10th assembly to implement the 35 percent affirmative action, as seen in other countries and in accordance with international standards, to promote equity, fairness, and justice.

She highlighted the historical exclusion of women in constitution-making in Nigeria and stressed the need for women’s representation in law. Ezeilo also emphasized the importance of clear anti-discrimination provisions in the constitution, aligning with the principle of equality and non-discrimination recognized as customary international law.

Professor Ezeilo noted, “Women cannot hold themselves bound by laws they did not help create. We appreciate the initiative by the Deputy Speaker and the House of Representatives who voted for special seats, but more needs to be done. We are lagging behind other countries, and it is crucial to operationalize these changes.”

Mrs. Ebere Ifendu, President of the Women in Politics Forum (WPF), stated that the meeting is timely for unifying efforts among diverse organizations to advocate for affirmative action reforms to boost women’s political representation in the ongoing constitution process.

She explained that while the legal framework governing political participation in Nigeria, including the amended 1999 Constitution and the Repealed and Re-enacted Electoral Act 2022, ensures equal voting and candidacy rights for women and men, it lacks specific provisions to promote women’s political participation and representation.

“This meeting aims to coordinate all efforts, including advocacy for the adoption and enactment of affirmative action reforms, to enhance women’s political representation in the constitution review process,” Ifendu emphasized. She reiterated the commitment to advancing affirmative action reforms to improve women’s political representation.

On Tuesday, the House of Representatives passed a bill for the second reading, aiming to amend the 1999 constitution to create additional legislative seats for women in the National and State Assemblies.

In March 2022, the 9th National Assembly rejected five gender bills favoring women. Since then, there have been calls for the 10th National Assembly to address these issues, and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has shown determination to do so.

The five gender bills includes provisions such as special seats for women in the National Assembly, 35% affirmative action for women in political party administration, granting citizenship to foreign-born husbands of a Nigerian woman

The other two bills are a bill that indigent married women should have a choice on state of origin and last bill seeks inclusion of at least 10% affirmative action in favour of women in ministerial appointments.

Reporting by Hadiza Abdulrahman; Editing by Daniel Adejo

https://radionigeria.gov.ng/2024/07/11/women-group-advocate-gender-inclusive-constitution/