Ex-women affairs Minister, Ciroma advocates for passage of women inclusion bill by Nat’l Assembly

By Matthew Denis

The Former Minister of Women Affairs, Inna Maryam Ciroma has called on the National Assembly to pass the Seat Reservation for Women Bill (HB1349) to enhance women participation in Nigeria politics.

Recall that the bill which was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu is targeted at providing special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly and inclusion in politics. 

Speaking to Newsmen at the National Women Leaders workshop in Abuja, Ciroma said ” this event is timely for the unity of Nigeria women beyond party lines, religion and regional zones. We’re all suffering the same thing as women not well represented in the political structure. 

” I am always advocating for women participation in politics, the passage of the bill will assist women all over because when the issue of 35 percent affirmative was adopted by the United Nations, Nigeria signed for it and our women fought it to be included in the 1999 constitution but it wasn’t. 

” The political parties have it in the Constitution but they are not implementing it so if we have the bill captured at the national level it will become a law that everyone must adhere to. 

” We’re very happy with this bill and if it’s enshrined in the Constitution then it becomes compulsory for every citizen to obey. 

Reacting to northern cultural heritage affecting women participation in politics the Former Minister stressed that culture or religion does not stand as barriers to women inclusiveness in politics. 

” We must deliberately promote the interest of our women in politics as it’s done all over the world especially the Islamic countries like Iran , Iraq you will find women in very high positions. We must stop bringing religion into politics because it’s personal. 

Ciroma advocated for inclusion of a woman Senator among the three senators coming from each state of the Federation.