NAWOJ applauds women’s solidarity march to National Assembly over special seats bill

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) has praised Nigerian women for staging a massive solidarity march to the National Assembly of Nigeria in support of the proposed Special Seats Bill, describing the demonstration as a historic step toward greater inclusion in governance.

In a press statement signed by National Chairperson, Aishatu Ibrahim, and National Secretary, Wasilah Ladan, the association commended women across the country for their courage, resilience, and unity in demanding fair representation in political leadership.

According to NAWOJ, the protest was more than a show of numbers, it was a powerful call for equity and justice. The association noted that democracy cannot thrive when women, who make up nearly half of the population, remain underrepresented in elective offices.

For years, Nigerian women have played key roles in nation-building across sectors, yet their presence in political leadership has remained limited. NAWOJ stressed that the Special Seats Bill is not about privilege but about correcting long-standing imbalances in representation.

NAWOJ urged lawmakers at the National Assembly to set aside partisan interests and act in the spirit of justice and progress by passing the bill. The association said approving the legislation would signal Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive governance and women’s empowerment.

The group also praised the peaceful and organized nature of the march, noting that the voices of the protesters had resonated beyond the gates of the National Assembly and across the nation.

NAWOJ called on women’s groups, civil society organizations, professional bodies, and all well-meaning Nigerians to keep mobilizing and advocating until the Special Seats Bill becomes law.

The association encouraged Nigerian women not to see the march as a one-day event but as part of a sustained movement toward equal representation.

“Every milestone in women’s rights has been achieved through unity and persistence,” NAWOJ said, adding that the struggle for fair representation must continue until justice is secured.