Bill for additional seats for women in parliament passes second reading

The proposed legislation to add 74 additional seats in the legislature for women has successfully passed its second reading.

A proposal to allocate 74 seats specifically for women in the federal parliament advanced to the next stage of consideration following a successful second reading in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

The proposal presented by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, and 12 other lawmakers aims to amend Sections 48, 49, 71, and 117 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in order to establish a single “Dedicated seat exclusively designated for female representatives in both the Senate and House of Representatives for every state in the country as well as the Federal Capital Territory.”

The bill suggests that it will come into force after the current national assembly's term ends, and it will be evaluated every 16 years.

The bill also suggests amending Section 91 of the constitution to create three dedicated seats for women in the State Houses of Assembly.