In a significant move towards enhancing women's representation in politics, Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has announced that the Constitution Review Committee is set to hold an international legislative dialogue focused on increasing women's political participation. This dialogue is part of a broader initiative aimed at amending the constitution to create a more inclusive political landscape for women in Nigeria.
The announcement was made through a statement from Udora Orizu, Kalu’s special assistant on press affairs, highlighting the committee's commitment to facilitating a platform where women's voices can be amplified in national policy-making.
During a recent retreat for the consultants and secretariat of the committee in Abuja, Kalu emphasized the importance of this initiative for nation-building. He remarked, "This is a sacrifice for nation-building," and expressed optimism about the committee's timeline for proposed constitutional amendments, which aims for completion by December 2025. He stated, "History will remember you; you will be remembered as those who crafted the new constitution. You’re writing your name in gold. I’m happy to say that with the way we are going, our objective of achieving the first set of alterations by December 2025 is feasible."
Kalu further revealed that the Senate has aligned with the House of Representatives on this timeline, indicating a unified legislative effort to address women's political participation. He outlined additional activities in the work plan, which include national public hearings, follow-up retreats, collaborative sessions with the Senate, and engagement with state houses of assembly as well as the governors’ forum.
The Deputy Speaker underscored the necessity of increasing women's political involvement, stating, "I wish to emphasize that we should look at ways to increase the political participation of women. It’s very important." He recognized the need to harness the wealth of opinions that women can contribute to national policies and issues, advocating for a more gender-inclusive approach in governance.
The international legislative dialogue for women is scheduled to take place on October 28 at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja. Kalu mentioned that the committee is actively reaching out to women who have made significant contributions globally, inviting them to participate in the discussions aimed at fostering greater political engagement.
This effort represents a critical step towards addressing gender disparities in Nigerian politics and ensuring that women's perspectives are integral to the legislative process. As the country moves forward, the dialogue and subsequent constitutional amendments could pave the way for a more equitable political landscape, empowering women to take on leadership roles and influence decision-making at all levels of government.
