Women groups across Ondo State have thrown their weight behind the 35 percent affirmative action for women in elective and appointive positions, calling for the passage of the proposed Reserved Seats for Women Bill.
The women, mobilized by the the International Federation of Female Lawyers, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Nigeria League of Women Voters, and the National Council of Women Societies, converged on the premises of the State Ministry of Women Affairs to demonstrate their support.
The gathering featured representatives of the Forum of Muslim Women, female political aspirants, and women-led non-governmental organisations, among others.
Speakers at the rally stressed the need for women to intensify advocacy for the bill, noting that its passage would significantly boost women’s representation in governance.
The State Chairperson of the International Federation of Female Lawyers, Barrister Bolanle Olafunmiloye, described the proposed legislation as a constitutional amendment aimed at correcting gender imbalance in Nigeria’s legislative system.
She explained that the bill is not designed to compete with men, but to encourage inclusive governance by creating additional seats for women in the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly.
Also speaking, the State President of the National Council of Women Societies, Bishop Oluseyi Odusola, called on women to unite in pursuit of common goals and push for the speedy passage of the bill.
She described women as capable and resourceful, urging stakeholders to support the Reserved Seats initiative as a means of increasing women’s participation in decision-making.
In her remarks, a female aspirant for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, Chief Olamide Falana, who explained that the bill would address the challenges women face in securing political offices appealed to the National Assembly to pass the bill, expressing confidence that it would position Nigeria among nations where women play active roles in leadership and national development.
Highlights of the rally included the presentation of petitions to Ondo State lawmakers in the National Assembly, who pledged their support for the proposed legislation.
