Yola: The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has raised concerns about the minimal representation of women in governance, highlighting that women currently occupy a mere four per cent of elective positions in the nation. Mrs. Ednar Azura, the National President of NCWS, addressed these concerns during a special reception in her honor by the Adamawa State Government.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs. Azura called on members of the National Assembly to support a legislative bill proposing the creation of 74 special seats for women. This initiative aims to foster inclusivity and achieve gender balance in governance across all levels. Mrs. Azura pointed out that out of 360 members in the House of Representatives, only 17 are women, while the Senate comprises just four women out of 109 members, with 15 states having no female representatives in elective positions.
Mrs. Azura emphasized Nigeria’s commitment to international treaties and protocols that promote gender inclusion, such as the Maputo Protocol, the United Nations Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She questioned the global perception of Nigeria with such limited female representation in governance. The historical exclusion of women during the drafting of the 1999 Constitution, when Nigeria transitioned from military rule, was cited as a contributing factor to the current imbalance.
Founded in 1958, the NCWS has been instrumental in educating and empowering Nigerian women to understand their rights and demand equal opportunities in leadership and development. Mrs. Azura urged male counterparts to support the bill for 74 special seats, clarifying that it seeks to enhance the existing structure of the National Assembly by promoting inclusive representation.
Additionally, Mrs. Azura encouraged Nigerian women to unite, support one another, and collaborate to achieve stronger advocacy and collective impact. On the topic of youth development, she revealed that NCWS is partnering with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to instill positive values in children and young people, aiming to nurture responsible and patriotic citizens.
