The Chairman, Nigeria Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures, Honorable Adebo Ogundoyin, has declared support for the campaign to championing gender inclusion and the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in the country.
Ogundoyin, who is a second term Speaker of the Oyo State Assembly, made the declaration while delivering his address at the Speaker’s State Assemblies Conference on Gender-Responsive Constitutional Reform, held in Abuja on Monday, December 9.
Ogundoyin explained the critical need for action and emphasized the alarming gender disparity in Nigeria’s political landscape.
While lamenting what he described as women underrepresentation at the state legislature across the 36 states, the lawmaker said: “Currently, women hold only 57 out of the 991 seats across the 36 State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.”
This underrepresentation, Ogundoyin said, must be addressed urgently to ensure that women have a voice in shaping the nation’s policies.
“Our democracy cannot be truly inclusive while such a glaring gender imbalance exists. We must act to create an enabling environment that empowers women to take their rightful place in the political sphere.” He said.
One of the key proposals discussed during the conference was the introduction of Temporary Special Measures, including gender quotas, to increase women’s participation in politics.
Ogundoyin reiterated the importance of such measures in achieving gender parity in legislative bodies, calling them a vital step toward promoting equality and amplifying women’s voices in decision-making.
Beyond political representation, the Conference of Speaker’s Chairman also pointed to gender-based violence as a serious barrier to women’s full empowerment.
He noted that GBV not only devastates individual lives but also perpetuates systemic inequalities that hinder women from fully participating in public life.
“Gender-based violence is not just a personal issue; it is a societal crisis that demands collective action. As legislators, we have the responsibility to create a legal and social environment where women can thrive free from violence, fear, and discrimination.”
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, led by the Chairman, has expressed its readiness to work alongside civil society groups, government agencies, and international partners to address these issues.
Westernmirror.com.ng reports that they have also committed to supporting legislative reforms that prioritize gender inclusion and provide better protection for women and girls.
“We must work together to break down the barriers that continue to hinder women’s participation in politics and to put an end to gender-based violence in Nigeria,” Ogundoyin concluded.