Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Maria Edeko, has passionately advocated for the passage of a bill proposing the creation of special seats for women in elective positions. Her appeal came during an event organized by the State Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Benin City on Friday, held in commemoration of the upcoming International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025.
Edeko, representing PDP Esan North East II, addressed a gathering of stakeholders, emphasizing the critical need to increase female representation in Nigerian governance. She urged both the National and State Assemblies to lend their support to the proposed legislation.
“It is disheartening to see so few women in elective positions, constantly suppressed,” Edeko stated, underscoring the systemic challenges women face in the political arena. She argued that the establishment of special seats would significantly boost women’s participation, addressing the current imbalance.
Edeko pointed to the stark contrast between Nigeria’s low four percent female representation in governance and countries like Rwanda, where women hold over 60 percent of political positions. She emphasized that the bill is not intended to usurp anyone’s rights but rather to promote inclusive governance and bolster democracy through diversified representation.
The Deputy Speaker directly appealed to political, religious, and traditional leaders to champion the bill. She asserted that greater female political empowerment would lead to enhanced social welfare programs, improved education, and accelerated economic development across the nation.
She also called on political parties to proactively support female aspirants by providing them with the resources and opportunities needed to successfully contest and win elections.
“Political inclusion is not only about fairness but also vital for national progress and sustainable development,” Edeko affirmed.
In a related development during the event, Mrs. Sandra Aguebor, widely recognized as Nigeria’s first female mechanic, delivered an inspiring goodwill message. Aguebor urged women to prioritize acquiring skills for empowerment and wealth creation, highlighting her own efforts in training and empowering over 4,000 women across Nigeria and internationally.
“I have trained and empowered over 4,000 women nationwide, with the job taking me to several countries,” Aguebor said. She further called upon women leaders to actively guide young girls toward skill acquisition and away from destructive paths like prostitution and drug abuse.
The 2025 International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8th, serves as a global platform to celebrate women’s achievements and advocate for gender equality, aligning perfectly with the aims of the proposed bill and the sentiments expressed at the Benin City event.
