The House of Representatives extends warm wishes to Nigerian women and girls on the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, themed “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment.”
Women remain the cornerstone of societal progress, playing pivotal roles in nation-building across all sectors. Their contributions span governance, academia, entrepreneurship, science, and social development, making gender inclusion not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for national advancement. As Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria must continue to institutionalise policies that promote gender equity, ensuring that women and girls have access to opportunities, protections, and support systems that enable them to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.
The 10th Assembly, House of Representatives has demonstrated a strong commitment to gender inclusion, as reflected in its Legislative Agenda (2023–2027), where Inclusion and Open Parliament is a key priority. With 15 female lawmakers—consistent with the historical trend of underrepresentation of women in parliament—the House remains committed to bridging the gender gap. All 15 women in the House lead key Committees, Parliamentary Friendship Groups, and International Parliamentary Delegations as Chairpersons or Deputies, while two Standing Committees have been established to focus on Women’s Affairs and Women in Parliament.
In furtherance of this agenda, the House has advanced critical pro-women bills, including:
– Constitution Alteration Bill on Special Seats for Women (HB 1349)
– Independent Candidacy Bill (HB 1630)
– Special Seats for Special Interest Groups Bill (HB 1811)
– Proposed amendments to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act to strengthen legal protections for women.
Additionally, the House has taken significant legislative action to safeguard women, including the passage of the Bill to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institutions and for Related Matters on October 30, 2024. This legislation upholds ethical standards in higher education by protecting students from sexual harassment by educators, implementing preventive measures, and establishing clear processes for redress. The bill is currently awaiting concurrence.
Recognising the rise in gender-based violence and femicide since 2020, the House, in a resolution passed on February 18, 2025, called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to designate special court divisions to fast-track femicide and allied Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases while urging law enforcement agencies to prioritise thorough investigations and prosecution.
While these and many other legislative efforts continue, our deliberations on every bill and motion before the House remain gender-sensitive, addressing structural and socio-economic factors shaping women’s experiences. We continue to prioritise equity, inclusion, and rights protection, fostering legal and institutional frameworks that empower women, enhance their participation, and remove systemic barriers.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, emphasised the need to empower women from an early age. He reiterated his ongoing advocacy for the protection of the girl child and the increased participation of women in politics and governance, recognising their vital contributions to society.
“Today, I congratulate the female folk as the world celebrates International Women’s Day. It is long overdue to walk the talk. We must all collectively agree that women are critical stakeholders in any community. They are building homes, nurturing children, and breaking political, academic, professional, and other socio-economic barriers,” he stated.
As Nigeria joins the global community in marking International Women’s Day, the 10th Assembly, House of Representatives reaffirms its commitment to fostering an inclusive and just society where all women and girls can thrive.
Happy International Women’s Day, Nigeria!
Signed:
Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr.
Spokesman, House of Representatives
