With an aims to improve women’s political representation despite persistent violence, financial barriers, and discrimination continue to limit women’s participation, the House of Representatives has urged the media to strengthen public understanding of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill as the National Assembly prepares for its next stage of consideration.
At a training for the National Assembly Press Corps in Abuja, House spokesman Hon. Akin Rotimi said journalists are key to framing accurate narratives around the amendment, which requires approval from both chambers.
Lead advocate Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche said the session aims to improve reporting on women’s political representation, noting that persistent violence, financial barriers, and discrimination continue to limit women’s participation. She highlighted the low number of women in legislative offices nationwide and stressed that the bill is intended to correct long-standing exclusion.
Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, Adaora Sydney-Jack, outlined the need for gender-sensitive reporting, urging journalists to avoid stereotypes and focus on policy, competence, and balanced framing as public attention on the bill increases.
Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker, Dr. Chidozie Ajah, explained that the bill seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to create reserved constituencies for women in the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly, with the measure subject to review after four election cycles.
The training brought together lawmaker, civil society advocates, and journalists, reaffirming a joint commitment to improving media reporting on gender representation as lawmakers move closer to voting on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill.
