Owerri, Imo State – Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, announced that the House is considering a bill to reserve special seats for women in parliament. The announcement was made at the 2nd Women of Divine Destiny Initiative Inspiring Women Summit (2024), themed “Illuminating the Power of an Inspired Woman.”
The summit, which focuses on empowering women to achieve their dreams, was organized by WODDI, a non-profit founded by Dr. Nkechi Rochas Okorocha, wife of the former Imo State Governor.
The "Seat Reservation Bill," recently introduced in parliament and co-sponsored by Kalu and several colleagues, aims to amend the 1999 Constitution to allocate special seats for women in the legislature. Kalu emphasized that the bill's passage would significantly advance women’s representation in politics.
“In a society striving for equitable development, addressing fundamental issues like gender equality and inclusiveness is imperative,” Kalu stated. He noted that women and girls constitute 49.32% of Nigeria’s population, yet their representation in governance is lacking. The proposed bill seeks to rectify this imbalance.
Kalu also highlighted the Peace In South East Project, a social development initiative prioritizing gender issues, and commended Dr. Nkechi Rochas Okorocha for organizing the summit. He urged participants to fully unleash their potential, now that they have been rightly motivated.
