In a powerful collective appeal, women leaders, government officials, and civil society actors in Kaduna State have called on both Federal and State legislators to move from talk to concrete action. They are demanding the urgent passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill to ensure genuine political inclusion for women.
A Call for Action Beyond Rhetoric
This clarion call formed the central theme of the First Kaduna Parliamentary Stakeholders' meeting held recently. Setting the tone, the state's Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip, challenged women to transform their numerical strength into tangible political power. He described women as "the frontline of honesty in politics" but lamented their consistent marginalization when political positions and benefits are distributed.
Kanyip pointedly questioned why the demographic that forms the majority of voters continues to struggle for relevance in governance. He stressed that political power "is not given but grabbed through organisation, solidarity and strategic mobilisation." He identified weak coordination among women and economic limitations as primary obstacles hindering their progress.
The commissioner expressed cautious optimism about the bill currently before the National Assembly, which proposes 37 guaranteed seats for women in the National Assembly and three reserved seats per state in the Houses of Assembly. He used Kaduna's own situation as a stark example, noting that only one woman currently serves in the State Assembly—a result he credited more to government backing than to grassroots political mobilization.
Strategic Timing and State-Level Progress
The forum's convener, Dr. Nita Byack George, described the gathering as a strategic rallying point ahead of the National Assembly's crucial vote on the bill, scheduled for December 9. She commended Kaduna State for its proactive steps in gender inclusion, including Governor Uba Sani's approval of a gender-responsive procurement policy and the creation of a Gender Desk at the Kaduna Public Procurement Authority (KADPPA).
George linked the political empowerment campaign to the ongoing 16 Days of Activism for the Elimination of Gender-Based Violence. She emphasized that the discussion was more than a policy debate; it is a call to action to build a society where men and women coexist with equal dignity, safety, and opportunity.
Bill Seen as Practical Solution to Structural Barriers
Stakeholders at the event presented compelling arguments, citing global evidence that shows increased women's leadership leads to better governance, enhanced community safety, and stronger efforts to combat gender-based violence. Barrister Julie Ariahu, Chairperson of the League of Women Voters in Kaduna State, stated that women's underrepresentation has persisted for decades despite their vital contributions to community development.
Ariahu attributed this exclusion to deep-seated structural barriers, not a lack of capability. She championed the Reserved Seats Bill as a practical and inclusive mechanism to ensure women's perspectives directly influence laws, budgets, and public priorities. "As we observe these 16 Days of Activism, we must remember that political empowerment is a powerful tool for ending gender-based violence," she asserted.
The event, themed "Advancing Women’s Political Representation Through Legislative Action," served as a platform to spotlight the urgent need for parliamentary action. Participants unanimously urged members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives, civil society, and development partners to support the bill and translate good intentions into transformative legislative change.
