By Adedoyin Oguntade
With just 73 women, constituting a paltry five per cent of the 1,462 lawmakers across both the national and state houses of assembly in Nigeria, the 9th edition of the Voice of Women Conference, which is scheduled to hold on 2 October in Abuja, the nation’s capital city, will spotlight the ongoing discussions on a bill seeking increased slots for women in the country’s politics.
Apart from leading female voices, including Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, and the former South Africa’s Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, also expected at the conference are prominent Nigerian male politicians, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
The sponsor of the trending bill that seeks an increase in female representation in the country’s parliaments, who doubles as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, is also expected to lend a voice to the conversation as the clock ticks ahead of the plenary debates on the bill.
About reserved seat bill
Titled: “Special Seats for Women Bill (House Bills 1349)” and sponsored by Mr Kalu, the bill seeks to add a female senator to the existing three across the 36 states of the federation and the existing one in the federal capital territory, amounting to an additional 37 slots.
Additionally, the bill proposes one additional special seat for women in the House of Representatives across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), increasing the number of representatives from the existing 360 to 397.
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The bill also proposes an additional three seats, specifically for women, across the 36 states of the federation, with one allocated to each of the three senatorial districts in each state.
If passed into law and assented to by President Bola Tinubu, the number of lawmakers in Nigeria will increase from the current figure of 1,462 seats to 1,644 seats, with women securing more than 200 slots, as against the current 73 female lawmakers nationwide.
Vow conference
In its 9th edition and scheduled to hold at the Naf Conference Centre in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Voice of Women Conference serves as a platform for discussions on national development regarding gender matters.
Organised by the Voice of Women Empowerment Foundation, in partnership with Women Radio 91.7 FM, the Convener of the conference, Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, says the platform exists to amplify the voices of women and demand good governance through accountability and transparency.
The conference, she said, also features an awards ceremony, which is targeted at recognising individuals and organisations that continue “to positively advance the causes and development of women.”
This year’s edition, which is themed: “Nigerian Women and the Power of Collective Action,” according to the organisers, is expected to feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, fireside chats, and exhibitions, alongside networking opportunities.
Mrs Okewale-Sonaiya said VOW2025 is not just a gathering, but a movement, adding that, “Irrespective of political affiliation, economic status, ethnic background, faith, age, ability, or disability, women must support women.”
“Only then can Nigerian women move from passive participants in governance and leadership to becoming the decisive force that shapes it,” Mrs Okewale-Sonaiya said.
Other expected dignitaries
According to the organisers, apart from Messrs Shettima, Abbas, and Kalu, other dignitaries expected at the conference, include the British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Gill Lever OBE; former Ekiti State First Lady, Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi; Executive Director Iyamopo Centre for Peace Women and Youth Development, Sherifat Taleat; the Executive Director of Women in Management, Business, and Public Service (WIMBIZ) Hansatu Adegbite; and the first female Executive Director of ASHA Microfinance Bank, Funmilola Oladoyinbo, among others.
