Constitution Review: Reps To Hold Exhibition On Gender Inclusion

As Deputy Speaker Kalu Laments Poor Women Representation in Politics

 

 

The House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, in partnership with Advocacy for Civic Engagement Centre (ACE Centre), ElectHER, and the National Assembly Library, will hold an exhibition on gender inclusion next month, tagged “Art for Governance.”

The Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, announced this in Abuja on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Albright Stonebridge Group.

Kalu explained that the exhibition, which will take place at the National Assembly Library, aims to leverage art as a tool for advocacy, focusing on gender inclusion in leadership. The exhibition is aligned with the ongoing Constitution (Alteration) Bill, 2024, which seeks to reserve seats for women in both the Nigerian National and State Houses of Assembly. Through the exhibition, the House of Representatives hopes to creatively engage stakeholders, spark public discourse, and catalyse action on gender inclusion in governance.

The Deputy Speaker highlighted the slow but gradual increase in women’s political participation in Nigeria, but emphasized that the representation of women in the country’s legislative bodies remains inadequate. He referenced the Gender Bills in the current Constitution Review process as a step towards addressing this imbalance.

He also informed the delegation that the Constitution Review Committee plans to hold 12 Regional and National Public Hearings, where collaboration with stakeholders would be crucial to understanding the cultural challenges hindering women’s political participation. These hearings aim to promote deeper understanding of the bills before parliamentary votes.

Kalu commended the delegation for their efforts to promote economic growth and women’s empowerment in Nigeria. He noted that one of the major legislative interventions by the 10th Assembly, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, PhD, is focused on advancing women’s political representation and participation.

Speaking further, Kalu said, “On behalf of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, PhD, I welcome you to the People’s Parliament. It is gratifying to meet with you today, Hon. Paul Ansah, and your team. We are honoured to hear about your positive impressions of our leadership role at the House of Representatives in engendering a new Nigeria that expands the space for women’s empowerment through transformative legislative policies.”

He also mentioned the National Women’s Economic (WEE) Policy Dialogue and said that the Constitution Review Committee has proposed a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution, reserving seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly as a temporary measure to address low female representation.

“The goal is to create a better deal for women,” Kalu concluded, emphasizing that the House aims to prioritize women’s inclusion through several other gender-focused bills.

Earlier, the group, led by Paul Ansah, shared their organization’s focus on social impact, particularly in gender, health, and nutrition, and expressed interest in collaborating with the parliament to support the Nigerian government in these areas.