Members of the Nigerian House of Representatives expressed dissatisfaction with the low representation of women in politics and called on the Federal Government to provide additional training opportunities.
The House urged the Ministry of Women Affairs to establish a specialized department with ample financial resources to facilitate the education, training, and empowerment of women in politics. Additionally, the House urged the Ministry of Education to incorporate a curriculum in secondary schools that highlights the importance of women in political leadership.
The motion was presented by Hon. Blessing Chigeru Amadi, the representative of Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency of Rivers State, during the parliamentary session on Tuesday. Public concerns have been raised regarding the underrepresentation of women in both chambers of the National Assembly during the current administration.
As of now, there are only 16 female lawmakers out of 360 members in the House of Representatives, while the Senate consists of 4 women out of 109 senators. Hon. Amadi emphasized the significance of gender equality and the essential role of women in political leadership and family upbringing, which she described as fundamental to the leadership development process.
She highlighted the societal barriers, such as cultural and religious norms, marriage, and indigeneity, that hinder women’s engagement in politics. Hon. Amadi stressed the critical need for women’s full and equal participation in public life to promote and sustain robust democracies.
She emphasized that education should go beyond basic literacy and numeracy skills to encompass problem-solving and critical thinking abilities necessary for instigating meaningful change.
The House recognized the persistent global and national underrepresentation of women in political and leadership roles. It noted the unequal opportunities and support for women in Nigeria to serve as political leaders and elected representatives, which are crucial for the country’s democratic progress.
To address this disparity, the House mandated the Committees on Women in Parliament and Women Affairs to collaborate with the Ministry of Women Affairs and other relevant agencies to organize regular training sessions and seminars for women aspiring to hold political office, especially those in rural areas, recognizing that political engagement starts at the grassroots level.
The House, comprising solely male lawmakers on Tuesday, except for Hon. Amadi, directed the Committee on Legislative Compliance to oversee and ensure the implementation of the resolutions by the relevant agencies and authorities.
Deputy Speaker RT. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who presided over the parliamentary session, commended Hon. Amadi for advocating for women’s inclusivity and encouraging increased female participation in politics. Kalu expressed gratitude to the male lawmakers who overwhelmingly supported the motion, referring to them as advocates for gender equality in the Parliament.
