The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has assured that the ongoing constitution review process will give priority to the longstanding issue of gender imbalance in the country.
Kalu disclosed this while addressing a Roundtable on Women Inclusion in Politics organized by a coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Abuja.
He said the benefits of enabling equal opportunities for women and men to participate in politics and contribute to governance cannot be overemphasised.
According to him, the ongoing Constitution review exercise by the 10th National Assembly is a good opportunity to tackle the inequalities faced by especially women and promote greater gender equality in the polity.
“By actively addressing the issue of gender imbalance in the Constitution review process, the National Assembly is demonstrating its commitment to creating a more inclusive and representative democracy.
“It is essential to recognize the importance of gender diversity in politics. Women make up half of the population and bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table,” he said .
Kalu noted that increasing the representation of women in decision-making positions, will mean that policies and laws reflect the needs and interests of all citizens.
“Promoting gender equality in politics is not just a matter of fairness; it is also crucial for the development and progress of the country.
“Research has shown that countries with greater gender equality tend to have higher levels of economic growth, better governance, and improved social outcomes.
“By empowering women to participate fully in politics, we can unlock the full potential of our society and drive positive change,” he assured.
The meeting affirmed that prioritizing gender equality in the political sphere will create a more inclusive and representative democracy that benefits all citizens.
While calling for all stakeholders to support and promote greater gender diversity in Nigerian politics, it was agreed that a just and equitable society for all is needed for the desired growth and development.
It is worthy to note that Deputy Speaker’s assurance is a significant step towards promoting gender equality in Nigeria’s political sphere where the underrepresentation of women will be a thing of the past as it will enable them participate in decision-making positions.
