Network of Women with Disabilities Pushes for Inclusion in Reserved Seats Bill
Editor
The Network of Women with Disabilities (NWD) has led a nationwide advocacy campaign calling for the inclusion of women with disabilities in the Reserved Seats for Women Bill. The campaign, spanning Nigeria’s five geopolitical zones, seeks to ensure equity, genuine representation, and constitutional justice for women with disabilities across the country.
The advocacy efforts reached a climax during the Senate’s Zonal Public Hearings on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), where Hon. Lois Auta, Global President of the Network of Women with Disabilities, submitted a memorandum to lawmakers.
In her address, Auta demanded that 5% of the proposed 181 additional seats for women in the National Assembly be explicitly reserved for women with disabilities.
“Representation is not charity it is justice, Women with disabilities must have a constitutionally protected voice in Nigeria’s democracy,”she asserted.
NWD’s campaign, supported by key disability rights organizations, was anchored on several critical demands. These include the allocation of at least 5% of special seats to women with disabilities, the adoption of rights-based and inclusive language in legal texts, political party reforms that support inclusive leadership, and the creation of accessible political environments for persons with disabilities.
The network also advocated for the establishment of a Disability-Inclusive Electoral Support Fund to empower women with disabilities to actively participate in Nigeria’s political process. It emphasized the need for accessible campaign venues, polling units, and the inclusion of disability perspectives in electoral policy and decision-making.
On July 4th, the Network of Women with Disabilities joined forces with the Women in Politics Forum in a spirited advocacy walk to demand inclusive representation. The demonstration drew attention to the urgent need for intersectional inclusion across age, gender, and ability. Carrying placards with slogans such as “We deserve a seat too,” participants called on lawmakers to recognize and address the structural barriers faced by women with disabilities in governance.
The campaign was driven by a coalition of passionate partners, including Sussan’s Unique Oasis Foundation, Disabled People in Leadership Initiative, Equal Basis Development Initiative, Lois and Innocent Institute, Cedarseed Foundation (CSF), Young Persons with Disabilities Network (YPWDN), and FalconsCare Initiative for Women with Disabilities Empowerment (FIWDE). Their joint efforts amplified the voices of Nigeria’s most marginalized women and demonstrated the strength of unified advocacy.
NWD expressed heartfelt appreciation to Barr. Ebere Ifendu, Founder of the Women in Politics Forum, for her unwavering support and commitment to inclusion. The network also acknowledged the technical support provided by UN Women, which was instrumental in sustaining the advocacy momentum throughout the campaign period.
As the constitutional review process advances, the Network of Women with Disabilities and its allies are urging the National Assembly to act with urgency and conscience. They call on lawmakers to ensure that the Reserved Seats Bill addresses the unique challenges of women with disabilities. “We will always remember that he chose to listen to us, and act,” Auta reflected, underscoring the lasting impact that inclusive governance can have on the lives of millions of Nigerian women with disabilities.
