By Chinonyerem Igwe
The Director General of Mariam Babangida Centre for Women Development, MBCWD, Hon. Dr. Asabe Bashir, has advocated increase in seats for Female legislators both in the National and State Assemblies. The DG made the request during a one-day Constitution Review and Alterations Constitution of 1999 as amended. The meeting, which held recently in Abuja and organised by the House of Representatives in association with both Local and Foreign partners such as UK Commonwealth, Policy for Legal Advocacy Centre. (PLAC) and other interest groups
The DG lamented the level of marginalistion of women when it comes to Legislative Arm, both in the states and the federal. She sought for change of attitudes and re-direction of policies that will give the women a pride of place in decision making in Nigeria.
Dr. Asabe Bashir, further advocated creation of more legislative seats for women both in the State House of Assembly and at National level to ensure equal representation and gender balance in the affairs of women particularly, in the area of governance in Nigeria. She said, “A situation whereby the Constitution gives the male folks unfair advantage over women especially in Niger State and Nigeria in general, doesn’t give room for democracy to thrive.”
She, therefore, appealed to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abass, and his deputy Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who doubles as the Chairman of Constitution Review for the ongoing Constitution Review to do the needful by approving the bill that is currently before them.
The event witnessed high profile delegates drawn from both private and public sectors, as well as non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society, Students Bodies as well the Media.
Almost all the 36 states speakers, Deputy Speakers, Majority and Minority Leaders were on ground to participate on issues of national interest .
