FIDA Nigeria, in partnership with the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), with support from UN Women and funding from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), convened a powerful stakeholder engagement in Anambra State to advocate for the Reserved Seat Bill — a legislative proposal aimed at securing 25.4% of seats in Nigeria’s legislatures exclusively for women.
The gathering ignited bold, honest conversations around women’s political inclusion — not as a gesture of charity, but as a long-overdue correction of systemic imbalance. This campaign stands as a reminder that democracy is incomplete when half the population remains underrepresented in the decision-making process.
The event attracted a dynamic cross-section of society: traditional rulers, members of the State Assembly, labour union leaders, commissioners, academics, civil society actors, women’s rights leaders, and the media.
Together, they moved beyond dialogue — many formally endorsed a Memorandum of Support for the Bill, signaling collective commitment to reshaping Nigeria’s political future.
Though challenges may lie ahead at the legislative level, the coalition remains steadfast. Armed with facts, a broad base of public support, and an unshakable belief in equal representation, advocates are prepared to push forward. This is not a symbolic gesture — it is a call for justice, equity, and national progress.
FIDA Nigeria’s campaign is a rallying cry for a more inclusive democracy. By ensuring women’s rightful place in governance, Nigeria can move closer to a society that truly leaves no one behind.
Let us continue to raise our voices and secure #HerSeatInParliament — because representation is not a privilege; it is a right.
#SpecialSeatsReserved4WomenBill
#HerSeatInParliament
#SideBySideCampaign
