Osun NAWOJ Advocates Support For Special Seats Bill On Women’s Representation In Governance
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Osun State Chapter, has called on all stakeholders: the governments, lawmakers, political leaders, civil society actors, traditional institutions, and citizens in general to support the immediate passage of the Special Seats Bill (HB1349) currently before the National Assembly.
This call comes on the heel of the Nigeria Women Solidarity March which took place at the National Assembly, Abuja, where NAWOJ members and other women advocates group demanded for urgent legislative action to address the persistent and systemic underrepresentation of women in Nigeria’s political and governance structures, and aims on participation of women in governance.
In a release signed by Osun NAWOJ Chairperson Comrade Abisola Ariwodola and Secretary Oluwaranti Ojewumi, the association emphasised that Nigeria’s democracy cannot be said to be fully representative, when women who make up nearly half of the nation’s population remain significantly underrepresented in elective and appointed positions.
Osun Nawoj observed that over the years, despite proven competence and leadership capacity across sectors, women have continued to face structural, cultural, and institutional barriers that limit their political participation.
The released added that the Special Seats Bill (HB1349) proposes a constitutional mechanism to create additional legislative seats exclusively for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly. Hence this structural intervention is designed not as a privilege, but as a corrective measure to redress historical exclusion and ensure inclusive governance.
According to Osun NAWOJ, inclusive governance leads to better policy outcomes, broader social protection frameworks, improved education and healthcare systems, and stronger community development initiatives. “Women’s representation is not merely symbolic, it is also transformative.”
“For decades, women have been marginalised within political party structures and electoral processes, and governance. The Special Seats Bill provides a practical pathway to bridge the representation gap and institutionalise gender inclusion”.
The female journalists association affirmed that a democracy that excludes women from decision-making weakens its own legitimacy, and by expanding access to political office for women, Nigeria reinforces its democratic values of fairness, equity, and equal opportunity.
Setting a National Standard
Passage of the Bill will signal Nigeria’s commitment to global best practices in governance and align the country with international standards promoting gender equity in leadership, and Osun State stands to benefit immensely from policies shaped by diverse voices and perspectives.
Osun NAWOJ use the medium to call on all members of the National Assembly representing Osun State to vote in favour of the Special Seats Bill (HB1349), and the state House of Assembly to domestic the bill, emphasising that the struggle for women’s political inclusion is not a women only issue, it is a national development issue, it is about strengthening institutions, improving governance outcomes, and building a Nigeria that works for everyone.
The Special Seats Bill represents a historic opportunity to address systemic exclusion through constitutional reform. Future generations will judge today’s leaders by the choices they make in moments such as this.
As Women of the pen profession, and the voice of women, Osun NAWOJ stands firm, united, and resolute in demanding the passage of the Special Seats Bill (HB1349). “We urge all stakeholders to act with urgency, seriousness, and patriotism, let history record that when the call for inclusive governance was sounded, NAWOJ rose to the occasion and all stakeholders in the state keyed into the women representation seats in various government portfolios – the statement ended.