CSOs to n’assembly: Pass reserved seats bill to end systemic exclusion of women

The Women and Youth for Nigeria (WAY4Nigeria) Alliance has urged the national assembly to pass the reserved seats bill to end the “systemic exclusion” of women in parliament. 

Formed in 2022 with the support of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Nigeria, the WAY4Nigeria alliance is a coalition of 14 civil society organisations (CSOs) advocating for the inclusion of women and youth in politics.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Victor Terhemba, chairman of the WAY4Nigeria steering committee, called for sweeping reforms to ensure broader political representation for youth in Nigeria.

Terhemba said about 60 percent of the country’s population is young, yet their exclusion from governance not only perpetuates inequality but also jeopardises Nigeria’s stability and growth.

He said WAY4Nigeria has pursued a multifaceted agenda, bridging Nigeria’s regional divides to promote inclusive decision-making, enhancing human capital through education and skills training, and implementing policies that safeguard the dignity and opportunities of women and youth.

Terhemba said the group has trained over 120 women and youth in identifying and countering disinformation and misinformation.

He said the alliance had strengthened the capacity of more than 100 women and youth on political participation and civic engagement, equipping them with the skills to lead, mobilise, and engage governance structures.

Terhemba noted that WAY4Nigeria had also convened dialogues, public forums, and advocacy campaigns to challenge the systemic exclusion of women and youth from Nigeria’s democratic space.

YOUTH, WOMEN INCLUSION

Terhemba said the alliance has grown weary of endless calls and rhetorical commitments by stakeholders, policymakers, and legislators, stressing that Nigeria could not continue to pay lip service to inclusion and “reinforcing systemic barriers”.

“The WAY4Nigeria alliance throws its full weight behind the reserved seats for women bill as an urgent corrective measure. We consider it a litmus test of sincerity for the speaker of the house of representatives, Rt. hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, and the national assembly as a whole, to demonstrate political will in addressing decades of exclusion,” he said.

Terhemba called for constitutional and electoral act amendments that would guarantee reserved quotas for women and youth, urging the introduction of independent candidacy to break the grip of political godfathers and entrenched party oligarchies, alongside measures to regulate and reduce the cost of nomination forms to ensure affordability and fairness.

He further advocated for stronger safeguards against political violence, intimidation, and gender-based harassment, while emphasising the need to bolster electoral integrity through the mandatory electronic transmission of results and enhanced fact-checking and accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Terhemba urged the media to reject complicity in disinformation and negative stereotyping, stressing that it should instead amplify the voices, successes, and policy visions of women and youth leaders, rather than trivialising or sensationalising them.

“The exclusion of women and youth is not just a women’s issue or a youth issue; it is a national crisis that undermines our democracy, stifles innovation, and erodes trust in governance,” he said.

“Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The choice is between continuing with a democracy of exclusion, cynicism, and elite capture, or building a democracy of inclusion, fairness, and representation.”

Members of WAY4Nigeria alliance include Building Blocks for Peace Foundation, YouPad, IANSAWomen Network Nigeria, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Raising New Voices Initiative, Women in Politics Forum, Education as a Vaccine (EVA Nigeria), CESPAD, RuralPro, Proactive Gender Initiatives, Plan International Nigeria, Open Minds Young Voices (OMYV), Women Development Monitoring Initiative, and The Charleston Foundation for Youth Development.