FIDA Urges Passage of Reserved Seats Bill as Corrective Measure for Women’s Political Representation

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has clarified that the proposed Reserved Seats Bill for women in the nation’s legislature should not be viewed as a privilege, but as a “corrective tool” aimed at addressing structural imbalances in political representation.

Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, FIDA Abuja Chairperson, made the statement on Friday during a press conference marking the launch of the 2025 FIDA Nigeria Abuja Branch Law Week. She highlighted that Nigeria is “at a constitutional crossroads,” with women still significantly underrepresented in politics despite their substantial contributions to the country’s social and economic development.

“Democracy cannot flourish when half of the population remains excluded from leadership and decision-making processes,” Onyenucheya-Uko emphasized.

She traced the historical obstacles to women’s political participation, noting that although elections began in Nigeria in 1923, women in the southern and eastern regions only gained voting rights in 1954, while women in the northern region were enfranchised in 1979. Further setbacks occurred under successive military regimes between 1966 and 1999, during which all Heads of State and state administrators were men, deepening long-standing inequalities.

“This historical context demonstrates that the Reserved Seats Bill is not a favour to women but a necessary restructuring to create a fairer and more inclusive democratic foundation,” she said. “Reserved seats for women are a corrective tool, a long-overdue reform, and an investment in national stability and inclusive governance. It aligns with FIDA Abuja’s 2025 priorities of strengthening women’s political participation, promoting gender-responsive legislation, and ensuring Nigerian women are not merely voters but active participants, leaders, and decision-makers.”

Onyenucheya-Uko called on policymakers to pass the Reserved Seats Bill promptly, urged political parties to open their platforms to qualified women, encouraged the media to amplify women’s political narratives, and appealed to civil society organisations to prioritise initiatives promoting gender-balanced leadership. She also encouraged Nigerian women to actively engage in politics, whether through reserved seats or open contests, noting that national decision-making remains incomplete without their involvement.

Wendy Kuku, SAN, Chairperson of the Law Week Committee, added that this year’s Law Week is particularly timely as national discussions on women’s political representation gain momentum. “The goal of this year’s Law Week is to foster understanding of mechanisms such as reserved seats, bridge gaps in women’s representation, strengthen democracy, and enhance governance outcomes. We aim to move the conversation from dialogue to tangible reform, ensuring Nigeria’s future legislature is inclusive, reflective, and just,” she stated.