Senate Pushes for Gender Reforms, Calls for Action Beyond Rhetoric on Women’s Rights

***Lawmakers Seek Legislative Backing for 35% Affirmative Action

The Nigerian Senate has taken a bold step toward advancing gender equality, pledging to introduce laws that will eliminate systemic barriers hindering women’s progress in governance, politics, and the economy.

During a special session to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized that beyond annual celebrations, the upper chamber must take concrete legislative actions to protect and empower women.
He assured that the Senate would work toward enshrining a 35% affirmative action policy in law to ensure equitable female representation in leadership roles.

“We cannot keep talking about gender equality without legislative frameworks to back our words with action,” Akpabio stated. “It is time to remove the roadblocks preventing women from accessing opportunities, whether in governance, business, or education. The 10th National Assembly is committed to making real change happen.”

Themed Economic and Political Inclusion: Walk the Talk, the event held at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, brought together top government officials, including Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted the federal government’s increased support for women’s advancement, citing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unprecedented 1000% budgetary boost for the Ministry of Women Affairs. She stressed that while financial commitments were essential, systemic change required legal backing and consistent enforcement of gender-focused policies.

Ms. Tabitha I. Sallah, Director of Media & Public Affairs and chair of the organizing committee, challenged lawmakers to accelerate the passage of pending gender equality bills. “The conversation about women’s rights has been ongoing for decades. The real test is whether we are ready to make history by turning promises into laws,” she stated.

As the Senate pushes for gender-sensitive reforms, all eyes will be on lawmakers to see if their commitments translate into tangible policies that guarantee Nigerian women a fair stake in leadership and development.