Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN, has said that the NBA Women Forum will work with the House of Representatives Committee on Women in politics in ensuring the best interest of women.

The learned silk made this statement during that NBA Women Forum at the roundtable /focused meeting on exploring the use of special measures to improve women’s political representation in Nigeria, which was held on the 26th of November, 2019 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, and organized by House of Representative Committee on Women in Parliament; in collaboration with Policy and Legal Advocacy Center (PLAC) and The Embassy of France in Nigeria.

As opined in the statement signed by Nsidibe T Aideyan (Mrs), Secretary to NBA Women Forum on the 26th day of November, 2019, Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN, as the chairperson of the Forum highlighted the vision of the NBA President, Paul Usoro, SAN, and keen interest in reviving the Women Forum on 29th of September, 2019. She emphasized the need to empower female lawyers, which is one of the objectives of the Forum, and noted further that with it, women generally are assured of greater quality legal representation and in particular representation and legal support for Women In Politics and greater impact in society.

Also, the chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Hon. Dukku, expressed appreciation and resolved to take the information back to the House.

Clement Nwankwo, the Executive Director PLAC, noted that not much has happened since women secured the right to vote. He added that the statistics of women in politics are frightening and that according to statistics, in 2007 it was 7% while it dropped to 4% in 2019.

It was further reported some levels of success has been recorded at some countries such as Rwanda (61.25%); Cuba (53%); Senegal (47%); Uganda. To effect better result in Nigeria, it was recommended that the Constitution be Amended, also that the amendment of The Electoral Act reflects 35% Sharing quota, as well as standalone legislation on women Participation and Representation.

The program which was organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Women in Parliament in collaboration with PLAC and Embassy of France had in attendance, the likes of Rafael Polt, Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, Embassy of France in Nigeria; Hon. Aishatu Jubril Dukku, Chair Person House of Representative Committee on Electoral matters Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director PLAC; Behind him is Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC; Hon.Taiwo Oluga, Chair, House of Rep. C’tee on Women in Parliament; Polt , Embassy of France; Hon. Dukku and Prof. Bamgbose, SAN, Chairperson NBA Women Forum.