In its 10th assembly, the Nigerian Senate made strides toward addressing gender inequality by proposing 15 gender-related bills during its first year.
Despite sponsoring 15 bills on gender issues, significant gender disparities persist within the senate as a legislative body itself, where only four out of the 109 senators are women.
This representation imbalance highlights the challenges of achieving genuine gender equality—not only through policy reforms but also in terms of participation and leadership within the country’s decision-making processes. With women comprising a mere 3.7% of the Senate, it reflects broader societal barriers that limit women’s access to leadership positions in Nigeria.
It is also worth noting that the proposed bill account for 3.1% out of the 475 bills proposed in the senate in the first year. The proposed bills address critical aspects such as inclusion, social protection, and the rights of women, children, youth, and the elderly.
While the proposal of 15 gender bills is a commendable step forward, much more needs to be done to cultivate a more equitable society beginning at the legislative level.
For meaningful progress, the senate must first confront its own gender disparities by fostering an environment that encourages and supports more women to enter public office. Without significant female representation, the legislative process risks overlooking or inadequately addressing the unique challenges facing women in Nigeria.
To achieve meaningful and lasting change, there must be an expansion of legislative approaches that push for more gender-related bills in the senate, facilitating women’s equal participation in shaping the nation’s future.
10th NASS Report Card: Read up on the performance of senators and members of House and other specialized categories here
