LEADERSHIP: FIDA Restates Commitment to Advancing Women Inclusion, Representation

By Praise Chinecherem

International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has restated its commitment to advancing women inclusion and representation in leadership and political processes in Nigeria.

Country Vice President, CVP – Eliana Martins Esq. stated this in Awka, Anambra state at a one day state level advocacy towards building consensus and consolidating memoranda on the constitutional reservation of special seats for women in Nigeria’s legislative houses.

Eliana represented by Chairperson, FIDA Anambra Branch, Amara Muojeke said the seat reservation proposal constituted part of efforts by the group to increase their participation in Nigeria.

She however said the push is not a demand for privilege, but demand for fairness and recognition of the their unique contributions to governance, peace-building, and development.

She said, “FIDA Nigeria remains committed to promoting, protecting, and preserving the rights and dignity of women and children.

“Today’s meeting demonstrates a collective desire to ensure women are not only seen but heard, represented, and given a seat at the table where critical decisions about our nation are made.

“The constitutional reform process currently ongoing presents a rare and strategic opportunity to institutionalize mechanisms for inclusion, equity, and justice.

“The push for reserved seats for women is not a demand for privilege—it is a demand for fairness and a recognition of the unique contributions that women bring to governance, peacebuilding, and development.

“Today’s meeting is made possible through the support of UN Women and the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office under the “Advancing Women’s Inclusion and Representation in Leadership and Political Processes in Nigeria” project.”

Appreciating relentless efforts of FIDA in the state for mobilizing key state and non-state actors for meaningful engagement, Eliana was optimistic that the deliberations would produce robust, inclusive and well-articulated memoranda capable of influencing final recommendations at the Zonal Public Hearings and, ultimately, the National Assembly.

“We encourage all stakeholders here present to approach this dialogue with open minds and a shared vision for a better Nigeria—one where women and men stand as equal partners in shaping our nation’s future.

“Together, we can build a more inclusive, just, and representative democracy,” she added.

Manager, Administration and Human Resources, Ezinwa Eberechukwu expressed women’s preparedness to filling the seats as long as they were made available for them.

She said, “We’re here to have conversations with state actors and other stakeholders on the proposed reserved seats for women at the National and State Assemblies.

“Although we envisage challenges, namely traditional, cultural, patriarchy and how the bill will affect the budget, but today’s engagement had thrown up strategies and recommendations on how to address those challenges.

“We don’t envisage paucity of women filling the seats. According to INEC, 39million women registered to vote at the last election, that shows that 39million women are interested in election

“We also intend talking to our lawmaker representatives so that when the bill comes up, it will receive the needed attention and support.

“We are already talking to stakeholders in other states. We’re seeking for their support to the bill. Memorandum were today agreed on and signed by the participants.