A disability rights organisation, Network of Women with Disabilities (NWD), has called for the inclusion of women with disabilities in the proposed Reserved Seats for Women Bill currently under review by the National Assembly.

President of the network, Lois Auta, made the call in a memorandum submitted to the National Assembly for the ongoing Zonal Public Hearings on the review of the constitution.

Ms Auta demanded five per cent of the proposed 181 additional legislative seats reserved for women in the National Assembly to be specifically allocated to women with disabilities.

According to her, the request is aimed at securing genuine representation, equity and constitutional justice.

She stated, “Representation is not charity; it is justice. Women with disabilities must have a constitutionally protected voice in Nigeria’s democracy. A minimum of five per cent reserved seats for women with disabilities within the 181 proposed special seats and the use of rights-based and inclusive language in all constitutional and legislative documents.’’

Ms Auta also demanded political party reforms to ensure that women with disabilities could lead and contest for political offices.

She said, “We demand accessible political environments, including campaign venues and polling units, and the establishment of a Disability-Inclusive Electoral Support Fund.”

The NWD president called on lawmakers to act with urgency and courage to ensure that seats were reserved for women with disabilities to safeguard inclusive governance for all. 

(NAN)