Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has disclosed that the House is currently deliberating on a groundbreaking bill aimed at reserving special seats for women in parliament. This announcement was made during the 2nd Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI) Inspiring Women Summit 2024 in Owerri, Imo State.
The summit, themed “Illuminating the Power of an Inspired Woman,” centred on empowering women to achieve their aspirations. WODDI, a non-profit organisation, was established by Dr. Nkechi Rochas Okorocha, the wife of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.
Speaking at the event, Kalu revealed that the “Seat Reservation Bill,” recently introduced in parliament, is co-sponsored by himself and several colleagues. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to allocate special seats for women in the legislature. Kalu emphasized that, if passed, the bill would significantly advance women’s representation in politics.
“We must acknowledge, however, that in a society striving for equitable development, addressing fundamental issues like gender equality and inclusiveness is imperative,” Kalu stated. “In Nigeria, where women and girls constitute 49.32% of our population, representation in institutions and governance needs urgent attention. Presently, the House of Representatives is considering a bill to improve the representation of women in our legislative institutions, sponsored by myself and other colleagues.”
He also highlighted the efforts of the Peace In South East Project, a social development initiative prioritising gender issues.
Kalu commended Dr. Nkechi Rochas Okorocha for organising the summit and encouraged participants to fully unleash their potential now that they have been rightly motivated.
