Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas on Monday reiterated the 10th Assembly’s resolve to end the systemic barriers that hindered the full participation of women in political and public life through the ongoing constitution review.
Speaker Abbas who gave the assurance in Abuja during a meeting held with Speakers of the 36 State Houses of Assembly to commemorate the conclusion of the 16-days of Activism against Gender-based violence, unveiled plans to hold a town hall meeting with women’s groups to discuss their priorities for the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
According to him, the Townhall meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 10th December, 2024 is to ensure that their needs are reflected in the budget, adding that similar engagements with youth groups are planned for next week.
Hon. Abbas maintained that “the time has come for us to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions that have long hindered progress. Let us mainstream women’s and gender issues in our constitution, statutes, policies, and budgetary processes. By doing so, we will not only honour the contributions of Nigerian women but also build a stronger, more inclusive society.”
To achieve the feat, he disclosed that the “10th Assembly has taken proactive steps to address these barriers. Recognising past pitfalls, we have commenced the constitutional amendment process early to allow for extensive consultation and consensus-building.”
While acknowledging that Women are the cornerstone of our families and communities, he lamented that “their political representation remains unacceptably low. This imbalance must change—not for improved statistics but for the transformative value women bring to governance, leadership, and policymaking.
“The importance of eradicating GBV and promoting women’s representation cannot be overstated. A society that protects its women and leverages their potential is one that secures its future. Women are the glue that holds our families and communities together.”
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While stressing the need for a paradigm shift from the old order by joining the league of countries like Rwanda, India, Uganda Zimbabwe, among others Speaker Abbas argued that “these efforts go beyond tokenism. Affirmative action for women is not undemocratic; it is a necessary corrective measure to address historical inequities and unlock our nation’s full potential. Many African countries, such as Rwanda and South Africa, have successfully enshrined affirmative action in their constitutions.”
He maintained that “Nigeria must embrace this progressive trend – not only to align with global advancements in gender inclusion but also to set a leading example for others.”
Hence, he observed that “active participation and support of State Speakers are crucial in ensuring that gender-focused amendments and legislation are adopted at the subnational level. I commend the Speakers here today for their progressive stance and for being the most forward-thinking group of Speakers since 1999. Your support for gender-based bills and proposals currently before the National Assembly is a testament to your commitment to building a more inclusive Nigeria.
”I understand the challenges you face and urge you to engage in constructive dialogue to refine these proposals. Let us work together to integrate your perspectives into the final legislation, ensuring that no valid concerns are left unaddressed.
“The House of Representatives remains resolute in its commitment to advancing gender equity. To this end, we have established two dedicated committees—on Women Affairs and Social Development and on Women in Parliament—to provide focused oversight and advocacy. The House has also taken steps to review the VAPP Act to ensure it is up to date and ready for contemporary challenges.
“In October 2024, we passed the Anti-Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Bill, landmark legislation aimed at protecting students from abuse and exploitation in academic environments.”
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
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