The Reserved Seats For Women Bill Advocacy Coalition, a Civil Society Organisation, has described the bill as a “ litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy “.
The coalition’s South-East Coordinator, Dr Adaora Onyechere, said this while addressing newsmen in Owerri, on Friday.
C-Advocate reports that a public hearing on the bill held on Saturday, with Imo hosting delegates from Abia.
Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo advocated for the creation of more states in the Southeast geopolitical zone, while his Abia counterpart, Dr Alex Otto, leaned towards the creation of state police.
Onyechere however said that with only four women in Nigeria’s 10th Senate, it would be imperative to pass the bill into law as a way of demonstrating the country’s commitment to increased women participation in legislation.
She further described the bill as a “clarion call for the southeast to end poverty “ , adding that as principal drivers of the market economy, affective pro women legislation will further drive economic growth.
“ Women will not be the only beneficiaries; if we get this right, Nigeria gets it right in many areas.
“ This is a social responsibility bill because women are footprints of the economy “, she said.
She thanked the House of Representatives for the first and second readings of the bill and urged its passage into law.
Speaking, Chairperson of the Delegates Committee for Abia and Imo, Dr Vivian Dimgba, noted that when passed into law, the bill will not only strengthen female voices but also fully promote the principle of equity.
She said that after four election cycles of 16 years, the law would be reviewed to determine areas of adjustment and reposition it for the future.
Also, human rights lawyer and member of the delegates committee, Dr Ndidi Anike, said that the bill provides support for gender equity and the national gender policy.