Politics

Women should vie for leadership positions at grassroots —Kalu

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has advised Nigerian women to extend their advocacy for inclusion in leadership positions to the grassroots level.

Hon. Kalu shared this advice in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the advocacy group, women round-table for development and good governance, at his office in the National Assembly.

In a statement released by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, the Deputy Speaker stressed the importance of women broadening their advocacy beyond the federal legislature. He urged them to focus on filling leadership gaps at the local government level, such as councillorship positions, and in the House of Assembly at the state level.

Observing that the advocacy has predominantly centred around the federal legislature, Kalu emphasized that leadership should start from the grassroots, adopting a bottom-to-top approach. He urged women to identify opportunities where gender imbalances persist and actively address them.

Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for promoting women’s inclusion in his administration, the Deputy Speaker reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to reconsider and pass rejected gender bills.

Addressing the advocacy group, Kalu stated, “I’m incredibly humbled that you deem it fit to be here today to start your advocacy. It appears to me that you have drawn your stakeholders mapping and administration lists for the passage of gender-related bills.”

He acknowledged the vital role of gender equality in achieving equitable development in a society where women and girls constitute nearly half of the population. Kalu emphasized the need for women to participate not only in the political platform of the federal legislature but also in other leadership positions, encouraging their involvement in the judiciary.

The Deputy Speaker urged the advocacy group to extend their efforts to the state and local government levels, questioning why such advocacy is not resonating at those levels. He stressed the importance of education in empowering women to occupy leadership positions, particularly in the judiciary.

In conclusion, Kalu highlighted the tenth National Assembly as a pivotal moment to advance women’s rights and increase female participation in politics. He assured the advocacy group of the parliament’s commitment to championing gender equity and women empowerment.

The leader of the advocacy group, Hon. Princess Nikky Onyeri, appealed to the Deputy Speaker to support the gender bills when reintroduced and ensure they receive the backing of his colleagues. She emphasized the early start of their lobbying and advocated for the bills to be aligned with the country’s cultural values before reintroduction.

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