The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, has stated that affirmative action for women is not a privilege and undemocratic, but a corrective measure that must be taken to ensure fairness and gender balance in the polity.
The Speaker said it has become necessary to mainstream women’s and gender issues in the constitution, statutes, policies, and budgetary processes of Nigeria.
The Speaker made this known in his keynote address at a session with Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to Commemorate the Conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) held at the National Assembly on Monday.
Speaker Abbas noted that the session was to commemorate the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a campaign that began on November 25, with the People’s House taking a prominent role. He recalled how he led an advocacy walk from the National Assembly to the Force Headquarters to submit a petition to the Inspector General of Police.
“This action signified our resolve to combat violence against Nigerian women and to reinforce our collective commitment to creating a safer and more equitable society,” he added.
The Speaker noted that the 16 days had served as a rallying point, uniting diverse stakeholders in a shared mission to protect and empower women and girls across Nigeria.
He also noted that the National Assembly has long been at the forefront of the fight against GBV and the advocacy for greater women’s representation.
He said since 1999, the parliament has championed transformative legislative reforms, including the enactment of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act; the Child’s Rights Act, and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act.
The Speaker further noted that the 10th House has amplified these efforts through its Legislative Agenda, which prioritises constitutional reforms to promote women’s political participation and representation.
Speaker Abbas said the agenda reflects the parliament’s recognition of the indispensable role women play in governance and the broader societal fabric.
“Women are the cornerstone of our families and communities, yet their political representation remains unacceptably low. This imbalance must change—not for improved statistics but for the transformative value women bring to governance, leadership, and policymaking,” he said.
While emphasising that the importance of eradicating GBV and promoting women’s representation cannot be overstated, he stated that a society that protects its women and leverages their potential is one that secures its future.
“Women are the glue that holds our families and communities together. Despite this, systemic barriers, including cultural norms, economic inequality, and inadequate legal protections, have hindered their full participation in political and public life,” he said.
The Speaker pointed out that the 10th Assembly has taken proactive steps to address these barriers.
“Recognising past pitfalls, we have commenced the constitutional amendment process early to allow for extensive consultation and consensus-building,” he said, stressing that the House Committee on Constitution Amendment has embarked on robust sensitisation and advocacy efforts, engaging stakeholders to build support for provisions that will constitutionalise greater women’s representation.
Speaker Abbas stated: “These efforts go beyond tokenism. Affirmative action for women is not undemocratic; it is a necessary corrective measure to address historical inequities and unlock our nation’s full potential. Many African countries, such as Rwanda and South Africa, have successfully enshrined affirmative action in their constitutions.”
The Speaker said state Houses of Assembly are pivotal to achieving meaningful constitutional reforms, adding that the active participation and support of state speakers are crucial in ensuring that gender-focused amendments and legislation are adopted at the sub-national level.
