Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele made this known while delivering her keynote address at Town Hall meeting on the Advancing Women's Inclusion and Representation in Leadership and Political Processes in Nigeria, organised by the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, NILOWV at the Oba's Complex Oke-Mosan Abeokuta.
Deputy Governor noted that the Town Hall meeting was convened to deepen public awareness and support for the constitution amendment aimed at increasing women's representation in legislative houses, revealing that the ‘Gender Bill’ would focuse on creating 74 additional legislative seats in the National Assembly and 108 in the State Assemblies reserved for women alone.
She said that the bill was without question, a bold and necessary step, opining that it would correct an historical imbalance by offering structured access points for women into legislative spaces, where they had been long under represented.
Salako-Oyedele stressed that the action was a start, not the final destination, calling it one of the several tools needed to unlock the full benefits of women's political participation, charging all present to take the message to the airways, markets, campuses, social media and to the general public, informing that all must understand what the bill was and why it matters.
She implored that the amendment should not be approached as a handout but as a hand up, beseeching them to build alliances across party lines, gender lines and generations, while emphasising the need to work together to create a political system that would reflect the full diversity and talents present in the Nation Nigeria
Speaking, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, said no country could flourish without women, stressing the need for women to support themselves, build themselves, speak with one voice and advocate for one another, also revealing that all bills that had to do with women were thrown out during the 9th National Assembly.
Contributing, the President League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Hon. Irene Ikyegh, appreciated Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and NILOWV Ogun State Chapter for their efforts in matters relating to women, saying the bill if eventually passed would help to have more women in authorities, build their confidence as well as promote women integrity.
The Olowu of Owu, Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, represented by the Orunto of Owu kingdom, Chief Biodun Lasile, said the bill was coming at a time when our society needed more women in position of authority, noting that if we go by our evolution some tribes or religion would not push their women forward for positions, while urging women to be more educated, as level of literacy was one of the problems facing women.
In her goodwill message, Chief Mrs. Iyabo Apampa, appreciated NILOWV both at the National level and Ogun State for their tireless efforts towards advocating for women, saying unless women come together and speak out, things might not change, while appealing to women in authorities to try to lift others up, she attributed culture and finance as major challenges women faced.
Remarking, representatives from the Civil Society Organisation, Mr. Adeshina Adesegun and Women in Disability, Mrs. Olatayo Adeifa, said their organisations have been partnering and would continue to partner with women organisations towards achieving their mission, encouraging women to support themselves, work together to ensure that the bill was passed so that by 2027 there would be more seats for women in both the National Assembly and State Assemblies.
In her remarks, President League of Women voters of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, Mrs. Elizabeth Egbeyemi, said the event was a call to action and a collective affirmation of their shared belief that inclusive governance was not just a goal but a necessity, noting that women were underrepresented in the legislative spaces, hence the need to create 74 additional legislative seats specifically reserved for women.
