The Nigerian Senate marked International Women’s Day with a strong commitment to advancing legislation that eliminates barriers to women’s progress and empowerment nationwide.
As part of its pledge, the upper chamber vowed to enforce the 35% affirmative action for women’s participation in governance, in alignment with Nigeria’s National Gender Policy (NGP) and the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Senate Leadership Advocates Gender Inclusion
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made this declaration during a three-day event held at the Old Senate Chamber of the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, themed “Economic and Political Inclusion: Walk the Talk.” The gathering aimed to mobilize collective action toward achieving gender equality in Nigeria.
The event was attended by top government officials, including Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jubrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Minister for Women Affairs Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim. The programme was facilitated by the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Public Hearing and Events, Ms. Munis Abisola, and the Director of Media & Public Affairs, Ms. Tabitha I. Sallah.
Commitment to Women’s Advancement
Speaking at the event, Akpabio reassured that the Senate would take legislative measures to eliminate systemic barriers hindering women’s socio-economic and political advancement.
“We are committed to ensuring that women have a strong presence not only in the National Assembly but across all sectors of governance. To achieve this, we will review existing laws and, if necessary, amend the 1999 Constitution to promote gender equality,” Akpabio stated.
Highlighting the invaluable contributions of women to national development, he added, “There is overwhelming evidence that women are exceptional managers and often work harder than men. We must ensure that women play a significant role in our collective progress and prosperity.”
He also called for an end to unfounded allegations of sexual harassment while reaffirming the 10th National Assembly’s dedication to implementing the 35% affirmative action for women in leadership.
Women Affairs Minister Highlights Government’s Support
Minister for Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, echoed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering support for women’s empowerment. She announced that the current administration had increased the budget for the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs by 1,000%, reflecting its commitment to advancing gender parity.
“We have seen remarkable progress for women across various sectors in Nigeria. Our collective efforts must now focus on sustaining these gains and furthering gender equality through actionable policies,” she said.
Call to Expedite Gender-Related Bills
In her welcome remarks, Ms. Tabitha I. Sallah commended the National Assembly for supporting pro-women legislation but urged lawmakers to accelerate action on pending gender-related bills.
“This event is a call to intensify efforts on all outstanding gender parity issues. While progress has been made, there is still much work to do. Now is the time to ensure every woman has access to opportunities, resources, and a voice in decision-making processes,” Sallah emphasized.
She further noted that nearly 30 years after the Beijing Declaration, there is still a pressing need to implement its commitments fully.
The Senate’s renewed commitment to gender inclusion signals a step forward in ensuring Nigerian women achieve full political and economic participation. As lawmakers push for the enforcement of 35% affirmative action, stakeholders continue to advocate for sustained efforts in breaking barriers to women’s empowerment.
