South East Zonal Coordinator for Reserved Seats For women Advocacy Coalition, Adaora Onyechere  Sydney-Jack commends Nigeria’s 10th Parliament. …says Reserved Seats for women a priority bill as Imo and Abia State Assemblies have no single female representation

By Ifeanyi Ndukwe

 On the 4th and 5th of July, a defining chapter in Nigeria’s democratic journey was written as the Senate Committee on the 1999 Constitution Amendment Review launched its public hearings across the geopolitical zones. these hearings have become more than procedural discussions, they mark a decisive moment in Nigeria’s pursuit of gender inclusion and political equity.

Central to the discourse was the Reserved Seats for Women Bill (RSFW) a pioneering legislative proposal designed to correct the historic underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s parliament by creating additional seats exclusively for women: one Senate seat and one House of Representatives seat per state, plus three for each State Assembly. Though temporary, the bill aims to catalyze a transformative increase in women’s political participation.

Speaking with compelling clarity, Dr. Adaora Onyechere Sydney-Jack, South East Zonal Coordinator of the RSFW Advocacy Coalition, and her delegation, chaired by Hon. Obiajulu Princess Ugwu, Deputy Chief Whip of the Enugu State Assembly, presented their memorandum in support of the bill at the hearing to the overwhelming affirmation from women, youth, and men alike.

The South East Zonal Cordinator For the RSFW Dr. Onyechere Sydney-Jack captured the spirit of the moment, urging the 10th Parliament to move beyond rhetoric. “This is the opportunity for our leaders to shift from promises to tangible action. So far, the political will has been evident now it is time to cross the finish line,” she emphasized.

Ahead of the House of Representatives Committee Public Hearing on the constitution amendment review, She further stressed that In the democratic corridors of Imo and Abia States, a concerning silence echoes the absence of women’s voices in their respective Houses of Assembly. This lack of representation is not just a statistical oversight; it is a structural imbalance with far-reaching consequences for governance, equity, and inclusive development.

Without women in legislative chambers, Laws are less likely to reflect women’s unique experiences, particularly around issues like maternal health, gender-based violence, economic access, and education for girls.

Policy development becomes one-dimensional, with debates and bills shaped primarily through a male lens, missing crucial perspectives on family welfare, social services, and inclusive development.

The states will continue to miss out on the proven benefits of women’s political participation which is more collaborative, transparent, and citizen-centered governance.

The proposal for reserved seats for women offers a timely and transformative intervention. Far from being a concession, it is a corrective measure a means of rebalancing decades of structural exclusion and ensuring that governance in Imo and Abia becomes truly representative.

The Lead Advocate and Convener of the Reserved Seats for Women Advocacy Coalition Chief Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche, described the bill as a historic movement poised to position Nigeria as a global beacon of inclusion and democracy. “This is Nigeria’s Legacy Bill,” she has continuously stated with conviction, underscoring its significance in addressing systemic barriers that have long excluded women from political power.

Reserved seats would Guarantee minimum female presence in legislative chambers, serving as a foundation for greater participation.

Stimulate political interest and participation among women at grassroots and professional levels.

Encourage political parties to actively recruit and support women candidates.

Ensure that laws are crafted with diverse perspectives, making them more responsive and equitable.

Currently, women hold a mere 3.6% of seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly, a stark contrast to the global average of 26.5% and countries like Rwanda, where women occupy 61% of parliamentary seats. This decline is alarming, threatening to silence female perspectives in policymaking at a time when inclusive governance is essential.

As the revered Tanzanian activist and Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai famously said, “You cannot protect the environment unless you empower people, you inform them, and you help them understand that these resources are their heritage.” In Nigeria, empowering women in governance is a parallel imperative — it is about protecting the heritage of democracy itself.

Following the Senate hearings, the House of Representatives Committee on the Constitution Amendment Review is set to continue the process with public hearings scheduled from July 11th to 21st. Notably, the South East states will convene their sessions at prominent venues: Imo and Abia states at the Landmark Event Center, Owerri, and Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu states at the International Conference Center, Independence Layout, Enugu, both commencing at 10 a.m.

The resounding voices of women-led civil society groups, gender advocates, and the passionate youth from the RSFW Advocacy Coalition have infused this constitutional review process with new energy signaling a watershed moment for Nigeria.

This is more than a legislative milestone; it is a call to rewrite Nigeria’s narrative. To echo the words of the legendary South African anti-apartheid activist and icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela: “Women are the real architects of society.”

To the leaders of Nigeria’s 10th Parliament, the nation watches with hope and expectation. The Reserved Seats for Women Bill is more than a political agenda; Rise to this historic occasion. Let courage guide your hands, and let vision shape your legacy. Pass this bill, and in doing so, affirm the dignity, rights, and voice of millions of Nigerian women and the generation to come.

Long Live The Federal Republic of Nigeria