The Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, has described the clamour for special seats for women in legislative houses as a just cause and progressive move.
Igwe Iweka disclosed when a team from the Social and Integral Development Centre, (SIDEC) paid him an advocacy visit in his palace in Obosi as part of implementation of Project IMPACT – Inclusive Mobilization for Participation, Advocacy, and Civic Transformation.
SIDEC) is implementing the project in collaboration with the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room with funding support from UK FCDO.
Project IMPACT being implemented in Anambra and Imo states aims to achieve inclusive electoral and governance systems where both male and female, youths and persons with disabilities are given equal opportunity to occupy elective public offices.
The royal rather commended SIDEC and other organizations championing the cause of special seats for women in legislative chambers in Nigeria.
Igwe Iweka opined, “This is a just cause because women are underrated, undermined and under-used especially in Africa because of our existing cultural norms.
“These days when things are going haywire, I think women will do well if given the chances. Women are needed to salvage the situation.
“Women would do well if given the chances. For fairness, women should be given more chances.
The traditional ruler however appealed to women not to sacrifice the interest of their children and families in pursuance of political relevance.
“The society is fast disintegrating and women are the pillars of home. I do not want them to sacrifice their homes for politics.
“For women whose children are grown and adult, they only have their husbands to worry about.
“I don’t see anything wrong in women occupying any elective position,” he concluded.
Underrepresentation of women
Earlier, Executive Director, SIDEC, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, explained that the proposed bill aims to amend the Nigerian Constitution to reserve seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
“The bill seeks to address the significant under-representation of women in the legislature.
“Currently, we have only four women in the Senate, 16 in the House of Representatives, 55 women in all the state houses of assembly across the country.
“We are proposing additional 37 Senate seats for women (1 per state + FCT), 37 House of Reps seats for women (1 per state + FCT) and 3 State House of Assembly seats for women per state (1 per senatorial district).
“In all, we are demanding 108 reserved seats for women. Apart from the reserved seats, women are free to contest other offices with their male counterparts.
“Rationale behind the clamour is that it increases women’s representation in governance and promotes gender equality and inclusivity.
“This has been experimented successfully in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
She said when passed, the bill will enhance decision-making with diverse perspectives, address women’s concerns and needs and encourage women’s participation in politics.
Reserved seats complementary
Ehiahuruke clarified, “Reserved seats complement existing seats, not a replacement. Women candidates will contest and be voted for by the electorate. No superior/inferior status conferred on occupants of new seats
“We need two-thirds majority in House of Reps and Senate and two-third majority in at least 24 State Houses of Assembly.
This is where we need the support and buy in of our traditional rulers because they are royal fathers to all legislators who will be needed to vote when the time comes.
