The NIgerian Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has promised to push for the speedy passage of five crucial gender bills currently under discussion in the Senate.
He gave this assurance at an event to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD), 2025 in Abuja.
He said that these bills, which aim to enhance women’s participation in governance and protect their rights, are expected to be prioritised in the coming legislative sessions.
“Today, I stand before you as an advocate for women’s rights, and I will remain so until my last breath,” Senator Akpabio said.
He also announced that the Senate would collaborate closely with women groups and civil society organisations to ensure that the gender bills, including those addressing sexual harassment and discrimination, would be passed into law.
The Senate President emphasised the importance of women representation and their crucial role in the development of the nation, stating that “a lack of female participation in politics is a missed opportunity for progress.”
The Senate President also acknowledged the crucial role women play in leadership and governance, describing them as “better managers and strong decision-makers.”
He lamented the challenges women face in political spaces, stressing that women often do not vote for female candidates, a barrier that needs to be addressed for greater gender equality in political representation.
Senator Akpabio also declared his unwavering support for women’s rights, promising to remain a fierce advocate for women’s rights “until the day he dies”.
The Senate President reiterated his commitment to advancing the cause of gender equality in Nigeria.
Highlighting recent steps taken by the National Assembly to support women’s issues, he pointed out the significant budget increase for the Ministry of Women Affairs, noting that the Senate had raised its budget by an astounding 1,000 percent.
This, he said, reflected a clear commitment to improving the lives and opportunities of women in Nigeria.
He also highlighted the challenges women face in leadership roles, recalling the recent controversy surrounding sexual harassment allegations involving a female Senator.
He stressed that false accusations harm not only the individuals involved but also the credibility of the institutions and women advocacy as a whole.
He reaffirmed that the Senate would continue to fight for women’s rights and work towards a more inclusive society.
“We must ensure that all women, especially those in leadership positions, are treated with dignity and respect, and we will not stand for any form of abuse or exploitation,” he said.
The Senate President expressed his hope for a future where Nigerian women can freely ascend to the highest offices and contribute to the nation’s growth without fear of discrimination or violence.
“Let us open doors for women and give them the opportunities they deserve,” Akpabio urged, as he called for greater unity and support for women in all sectors of society.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim praised the remarkable achievements of Nigerian women and recognised the significant steps taken by the Senate in prioritising women’s empowerment, particularly through the historic increase in the Ministry’s budget by 1000%.
She reiterated the importance of continuing to push for more women in leadership roles and for strong policies that empower women.
The Minister commended the collaborative efforts between government leaders, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President Akpabio, in advancing women’s rights.
She expressed optimism about the future, knowing that with continued efforts, Nigerian women would break more barriers and take on leadership roles across all sectors.
The keynote speaker, the Executive Director of the Gender Mobile Initiative, Omowumi Ogunrotimi said that Nigeria’s pivotal moment in its pursuit of gender equity.
Ogunrotimi emphasised that the global theme for IWD 2025, “Accelerate Action,” provided an opportunity for critical reflection and decisive action.
She pointed out that women continue to face barriers to economic and political inclusion, citing troubling statistics such as the fact that women own only 20% of enterprises in the formal sector and occupy just 12% of executive positions in Nigerian banks.
Renowned rights activist, Ene Obi highlighted the ongoing struggles for greater representation of women in the Nigerian Senate.
She called for more women to be elected to the Senate and for the protection of female legislators, stating that the current underrepresentation of women in the Senate, “only four women out of 109 Senators was a matter that needed urgent redress.”
Speakers resonated strongly, reinforcing the need for unity in the fight for gender equality.
The theme for the 2025 International Women’s Day 2025 is “Accelerate Action – Economic and Political Inclusion Walk the Talk.”
VON