Women’s Political Representation and Participation
Not started
In progress
Completed
Implementation Strategies (STRAT)
Strat.1 Re-introduce and support the Bill on temporary special seats for women in the Constitution amendment efforts of the 10th National Assembly .
Strat.2 Promote funding or subsidies specifically for female candidates to reduce the financial barriers to entry.
Strat.3 Strengthen the women’s caucus in the House to better advocate for women-specific issues and mentor upcoming female politicians .
Strat.4 Support maternity leave for up to six months.
Specific Legislative Actions
Strat.1 The Special Seats for women introduced in the 6th constitution amendment of the 10th National Assembly. Which currently birth the Electoral College deliberations which are currently ongoing in NASS.
(https://dailytrust.com/reps-introduce-bill-to-increase-membership-from-360-to-366/?utm)
Strat.2 N/A
Strat.3 1. Through the Women Affairs and Social Development Committee in the House, the House has Organized Conferences to empower political and non political women both in the House and outside the House in February 2025;
2. The House has collaborated with International Organizations through the House Women Affairs committee, the House signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UN Women to enhance women's participation in politics and governance which has helped strengthen the women caucus in the House. (https://abujacityjournal.com/livenews/2024/06/07/house-of-reps-partners-with-un-women-to-boost-female-participation-in-governance/?utm).
3. Addressing Funding Concerns for Women's Development both in and Outside the House.
Strat.4 The House of Representatives has demonstrated its commitment to strengthening maternity protection in Nigeria through legislative action. In this regard, the House is considering a bill (HB 2105), sponsored by Hon. Chike John Okafor, which seeks to amend the Labour Act to extend maternity leave from 3 months to six months. The bill has successfully passed second reading and is currently undergoing further legislative consideration in the House of Representatives.(as at March 20, 2025). (https://naltf.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Order-Paper-20-March-2025.pdf?utm)
Women’s Political Representation and Participation
Not started
In progress
Completed
Implementation Strategies
Strat.1 Legislate to increase women’s representation in elective positions by creating special women-only seats in the Senate and House of Representatives and encouraging State Houses of Assembly to do the same .
Strat.2 Introduce electoral reforms to implement mandatory requirements for political parties to have a certain percentage of female candidates and in the party leadership structure.
Strat.3 Strengthen the Electoral Act 2022 to penalise violence, intimidation and harassment against women in politics .
Strat.4 Pass the Gender Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB) to ensure women are active and equal participants in Nigeria’s political and decision-making processes .
Strat.5 Amend the Police Act 2022 to ensure uniformity in the enlistment requirements for men and women; amend the rule that excludes married women from enlisting in the police and delete the regulation that provides that unmarried women may only marry after they have served in the police for three years subject to approval from a police commissioner .
Specific Legislative Actions
Strat.1 The bill (HB 1349) was reintroduced and passed its second reading in July 2024. Since then, there have been ongoing discussions and advocacy ( https://placng.org/Legist/bill-to-create-special-seats-for-women-passes-second-reading/ ). HB. 1811.
Strat.2 N/A
Strat.3 N/A
Strat.4 N/A
Strat.5 N/A
Women’s Political Representation and Participation
Not started
In progress
Completed
Implementation Strategies (STRAT)
Strat.1 Prioritise financing for mainstreaming Gender Equality, including the National Gender Policy, the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) and the Child Rights Act, with costed plans at the state level and gender-responsive planning and budgeting at the Federal and State levels.
Strat.2 Strengthen oversight of government institutions to ensure compliance with the National Gender Policy and court judgment on the full implementation of the 35% affirmative action on appointive and elective positions in both public and private sectors .
Strat.3 Revisit the Labour Act to ensure increased opportunities for women and delete sections that empower a minister of Labour to make regulations prohibiting or restricting women’s employment .
Specific Legislative Actions
Strat.1 N/A
Strat.2 N/A
Strat.3 The 10th House of Representatives has passed for Second a Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act, Cap. N146, Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to provide at least 15 percent of Women Representation in the Recruitment of the Corps, Require the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to Provide and maintain Gender Responsive Compliance Programme in the Recruitment, Training, Marital Status, Posting and Discipline of the Corps and Establishment of a Unit to Monitor and Maintain Records of Gender Responsive Compliance Program and for Related Matters (HB.1718). Bill is currently sponsored by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara)
(https://placng.org/i/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/House-of-Reps-order-paper-Tuesday-24-June-2025.pdf).
2. The 10th House also passed for second reading on the 2nd July 2025 a Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigeria Police Act, No. 2, 2020 to ensure at least 15 percent Women Representation in the Recruitment of Police Officers, Require the Nigeria Police force to Provide and maintain Gender Responsive Compliance Programme in the Recruitment, Training Marital Status, Posting and Discipline of Police Officers and ensure the Establishment of a Unit to Monitor and Maintain Records of Gender Responsive Compliance Program and for Related Matters (HB.1717). The bill is sponsored by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara
(https://lightraymedia.org/2025/07/02/plenary-proceedings-house-of-reps-for-wed-july-2nd-2025)"
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