Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has calmed the frayed nerves of Nigerians regarding the challenges of gender-based violence, assuring them of parliament’s resolve to remove every obstacle hindering the enactment of quality legislation aimed at combating the problem.

Speaking through his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, at the nation’s citizens summit on constitutional reform and the campaign to end violence against women and girls, Abbas maintained that lawmakers are committed to amplifying women’s voices, protecting their rights, and valuing their contributions.
He posited that through collaboration with women’s groups, faith-based leaders, and traditional institutions, parliament will ensure that gender-based violence is reduced to the barest minimum in the country.

According to him, the summit is a significant milestone as they launch campaigns to increase women’s participation in elective and appointive positions and to end violence against women and girls. While referring to the World Health Organization report that one in three women experiences some form of violence globally, the Speaker said this statistic is both alarming and unacceptable.
Abbas said that while these campaigns align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality, they cannot allow history to repeat itself. This time, he said, they are better prepared, with renewed strategies, broader coalitions, and stronger public support.

“This event is very significant as we jointly seek an end to violence against women and girls. This is an opportunity to reflect on our shared values, renew our commitment to good governance, and ensure that every voice is heard and respected.”

“Above all, it is a moment to reaffirm our pledge to let the rule of law guide us, adapt our constitution to meet society’s needs and protect the dignity, rights, and future of every Nigerian, irrespective of gender. Democracy thrives on the active participation of citizens. The 1999 Constitution begins with the phrase ‘We the People,’ affirming that the legitimacy of our democracy stems from your voices. The Nigerian Constitution was never intended to be a perfect document. Instead, it was designed to evolve through amendments that address emerging challenges. This approach mirrors global best practices.

“For example, the United States Constitution has been amended 27 times to address critical issues like civil rights and social reforms without undermining the integrity of the system.

“Since the return to democracy, the National Assembly, in collaboration with the State Houses of Assembly, has achieved significant milestones through constitutional amendments. The first, second, third, and fourth alterations have improved electoral processes, enhanced judicial independence, and granted financial autonomy to sub-national legislatures. A landmark achievement was the 2018 ‘Not Too Young To Run’ amendment, which lowered the age threshold for elective offices, opening the political space for young Nigerians.”