Women Affairs Minister Celebrates Increased Women Participation In Political Space
By Ignatius Ushie
Dame Pauline Tallen, the Minister of Women Affairs has described 2021 as a year that represents a great milestone in Nigeria’s advocacy for increasing the participation of Women in governance and decision making in a statement made available to PeakNews news, personally signed by the Honorable Minister.
Tallen’s assertion came against the backdrop of the recent passing of second reading in the House of Representatives, a Bill seeking to create 111 additional Special Seats for Women in the National Assembly.
In a felicitation speech to the 9th National Assembly, the Minister described the feat as historic milestone recorded in demand by the women for more political space.
According to the Minister, the Bill is expected to serve as a remedy to the low representation of women in legislative houses by providing additional separate seats to be contested and occupied by only Women in the National Assembly and State of Assembly.
“I want to on behalf of Nigerian Women to salute the Leadership of the 9th National Assembly, especially the Senate Led by the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan and the House of Representatives Led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
“The year 2021 represents a great milestone in our advocacy for increasing the participation of Women in governance and decision making as a Bill to that seeks to create 111 additional Special Seats for Women in the National Assembly has passed second reading in the House of Representatives, she said.
“Sponsored by the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Nkiruka Onyejiocha, when passed into law, 37 additional seats will be created in the Senate and 74 in the House of Representatives for Women.
“The Bill also provides that one additional member from each of the three senatorial districts in the State will be created exclusively for women in each State House of Assembly.
“This Bill is expected to serve as a remedy to the low representation of women in legislative houses by providing additional separate seats to be contested and occupied by only Women in the National Assembly and State of Assembly.
“As a temporary measure to promote women’s representation, the Bill is expected to be subjected to a review after four general election cycles of 16 years for the purpose of retaining, increasing or abolishing the temporary measure” she said.
