House of Reps decries low participation of women in governance

The House of Representatives has decried the low participation of women in governance in the country.

Chairman of the House Committee on Women in Parliament, Mrs. Taiwo Oluga, during the inaugural meeting of the committee, noted that it was unfortunate that only 11 women were elected in the National Assembly.

Describing the situation as unacceptable, she called for the more active involvement of women into elective positions at the country’s legislatures.

Oluga promised to reach out to other notable African parliaments, including the Commonwealth Women in Parliament, to ensure effective representation of women in political positions, as well as tackle issues of rights and abuses.

She further stated that the committee would liaise with the Senate leadership on issues relating to women representation in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other agencies of government to achieve at least 35 per cent women inclusion in governance at all levels in the country.

The committee will work in partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and sister agencies to curb human trafficking, child prostitution and defend the provisions of the Child Rights Act.

She further disclosed that the committee would take the example of Rwanda with 68 per cent of women population as lawmakers and 50 per cent as cabinet members and Supreme Court judges.

The lawmaker disclosed that her committee would organise an annual Women in Parliament Week where distinguished women from all over the world would present papers on issues affecting women and other mentorship sessions for young girls.

The committee members later adopted a document dubbed ‘Action Plan, to streamline resolves on the issues and which is expected to guide the operations of the house committee.