Nigeria is considering a landmark bill designed to increase the low number of women in its legislatures, a representation that currently ranks as the lowest in Africa. The law, proposed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, would amend the country’s current constitution to reserve 183 seats for women across the National Assembly and state houses, a change that could increase their numbers more than fivefold. Currently, women hold just four of 109 Senate seats and 16 of 360 in the lower chamber. There has also been no female president, vice president, or governor since the reintroduction of democracy in 1999. Lawmakers are set to vote on the measure next month, and it has already garnered crucial support from top parliamentary leaders and the president’s wife. If approved, it must be endorsed by not less than 24 state assemblies before it can be sent to the president for his assent.
Bloomberg
