By Murtala Muhammad
ALHERI-YS Foundation has urged the Bauchi State House of Assembly to sponsor and pass a Gender Equal Opportunities Bill to provide legal backing for the 35 per cent women’s representation commitment in governance.
The foundation made the call during a courtesy and advocacy visit to the House under the ASPIRE Project, implemented with the support of Plan International Nigeria and funded by Global Affairs Canada.
Presenting the Draft Advocacy Policy Framework, the Executive Director of the foundation, Miss Alheri Yusuf said an Executive Order alone would not be sufficient to institutionalise the 35 per cent affirmative action commitment, as it could be reversed by successive administrations.
Miss Alheri Yusuf who led the advocacy team said the proposed legislation would provide a durable legal framework for women’s participation in governance, committees, boards, public appointments, legislative processes, executive decision-making and political leadership.
She lamented that there was currently no female member among the thirty one members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, describing the situation as an indication of the need for deliberate measures to improve women’s representation and participation in governance.
The Executive Director of the foundation proposed that at least 35 per cent of substantive seats in appointive public offices should be allocated to qualified women, with full voting rights, while elected positions should be supported through political participation, mentorship, leadership development and safe political engagement.
She also called for transparent appointment processes, a database of qualified women in Bauchi State, quarterly monitoring and greater involvement of traditional and religious institutions, pledging continued partnership with the Assembly through public hearings, consultations and policy dialogue.
Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Abubakar Sulaiman, assured the delegation of the Assembly’s commitment to studying the proposed 35 per cent affirmative action for women, pledging to exercise its legislative responsibility by making laws that promote inclusive governance.
He further assured that the submission would be given due consideration for the ultimate benefit of the people of Bauchi State.