The wives of members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, under the umbrella of the House of Representatives Spouses Association (HORSA), have pledged to intensify advocacy efforts for the passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill, a proposed legislation designed to increase women’s representation in elected offices and strengthen gender inclusion in governance.
The commitment was announced during a courtesy visit by HORSA executives to the Abuja headquarters of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, where both groups agreed to collaborate on initiatives aimed at building broader support for the bill.
Speaking during the visit, Fatima Abbas Tajudeen commended PLAC for its longstanding contributions to democratic development, legislative reforms, civic participation, and inclusive governance in Nigeria.
She particularly praised the organisation’s sustained advocacy for greater female representation in politics, describing the Special Seats for Women Bill as a landmark proposal capable of addressing the long-standing underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s legislative institutions.
According to her, the proposed legislation is more than a constitutional amendment; it represents a strategic effort to create pathways for women to participate more actively in policymaking, leadership, and national development.
Fatima Tajudeen stressed that improving women’s representation in parliament would help ensure that governance structures better reflect the diversity of Nigerian society and promote more inclusive decision-making processes.
As part of the collaboration, she proposed a high-level strategic workshop involving lawmakers, civil society organisations, development partners, gender advocates, and other stakeholders. The workshop, she said, would focus on identifying practical approaches to strengthen public understanding of the bill and build the political consensus required for its passage.
Responding, Clement Nwankwo reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting women’s political participation and democratic inclusion.
He disclosed that PLAC has spent more than seven years researching successful gender representation models across several African countries, including South Africa, Senegal, and Kenya.
According to him, lessons from those countries helped shape the development of the Special Seats for Women Bill and informed broader advocacy efforts aimed at increasing the number of women occupying elected positions in Nigeria.
Nwankwo noted that while compromises and amendments are often part of the legislative process, the central objective remains ensuring greater female participation in governance and strengthening democratic representation.
He also clarified that the correct title of the proposed legislation is the “Special Seats for Women Bill,” explaining that different names have emerged during consultations and legislative reviews. However, he said stakeholders remain focused on securing its passage, after which the final legal title and provisions will be formally established.
Also speaking, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe observed that misinformation and misconceptions about the bill continue to hinder public acceptance and support.
She said many critics misunderstand the objectives of the legislation, emphasising the need for more public enlightenment to explain how the proposal seeks to improve representation rather than replace existing democratic processes.
Similarly, Kafilat Ogbara called on spouses of lawmakers to play a more active role in advocacy efforts, describing them as influential stakeholders capable of encouraging constructive discussions within political circles.
She urged HORSA members to continue engaging their partners and other policymakers on the importance of women’s inclusion in governance, noting that broader support from legislators will be crucial to the bill’s success.
The renewed partnership between HORSA and PLAC comes amid ongoing national conversations about gender equality and political inclusion. Advocates argue that despite constituting a significant portion of Nigeria’s population, women remain underrepresented in elective offices, making legislative reforms necessary to achieve more balanced representation in governance.
Supporters of the Special Seats for Women Bill believe its passage could mark a significant step toward expanding opportunities for women in politics and strengthening democratic participation across the country.
