The Southern Women Empowerment Forum (SWEF) has called on the National Assembly and other key stakeholders to give urgent consideration and speedy passage to the Special Seats Bill, a landmark piece of legislation designed to address the persistent underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s governance structures.
Speaking through its National President, Hon. Dr. Helen Taiwo Adebakin, SWEF emphasized that the bill represents a historic opportunity to close the gender gap in politics and ensure that women’s voices are heard in decision-making processes across the country.
According to SWEF, the underrepresentation of women in legislative assemblies, executive positions, and other governance platforms has weakened the inclusivity of Nigeria’s democracy. The forum argued that democracy works best when it reflects the diversity of the people it serves and that ensuring women’s participation will lead to fairer, more equitable, and sustainable policies.
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“The Special Seats Bill is not just about giving women a place at the table,” Hon. Dr. Adebakin stated, “it is about building a stronger democracy that leverages the intelligence, creativity, and capacity of half of the nation’s population. Women have proven time and again that when they are entrusted with leadership, they deliver results that uplift communities and advance development.”
SWEF further highlighted that the bill would inspire younger women to pursue leadership roles, enrich governance with diverse perspectives, and accelerate Nigeria’s progress towards gender equality in line with global standards.
The forum called on members of the National Assembly to debate, endorse, and pass the bill without delay, while urging political parties, state assemblies, civil society organizations, and the media to rally behind the legislation and ensure its smooth implementation once passed.
“This is the time to turn words into action,” SWEF added. “Nigeria cannot continue to sideline its women and expect sustainable progress. Passing the Special Seats Bill will be a bold step toward creating a governance system that works for all.”
