GADA Takes The Lead During the 1999 Nigerian Constitutional Reform and the Special Seats Bill for Women in Cross River State
The proposed Special Seats Bill through a constitutional amendment presents a real opportunity to address the long standing problem of poor representation of women in Nigeria’s governance structures. The bill seeks to provide special seats for women in the National Assembly (NASS) and an affirmative action stipulating 35% representation for women in political party administration. GADA’s work has centered on community-based consultations, grassroots mobilization, media advocacy, and high-level engagement. These efforts have contributed significantly to national dialogue on inclusive governance and gender-responsive constitutional reform.
Through these initiatives, Cross River State has emerged as a key player in the national movement for greater women’s political participation. As part of its advocacy efforts to address gender imbalance in governance, GADA mobilized a strong delegation led by Sen. Florence Ita Giwa and Hon. Edema Irom to the Senate and House of Representatives zonal public hearings respectively, pushing for the Special Seats bill’s passage from Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. GADA undertook strategic actions such as convening multi-stakeholder town hall meetings, media advocacy and public awareness campaigns on HIT FM and FAD FM and consultations in the three senatorial zones (North, Central and South) of the state. The consultations led to the collection of 33,849 signatures in support of the bill from traditional leaders, lawmakers, women’s groups, religious institutions, political actors, youth groups, civil society organizations, He4Shes and community influencers.
Memoranda from the meeting
Sen. Florence Ita Giwa led-delegation on Special Seats Bill
Representative of Office of the First Lady of Cross River State- Apst. (Dr) Mrs. Queen Etong presenting a Key Note address on inclusive governance.
Hon. Edema Irom-Commissioner for Women Affairs, Cross River State presenting the memorandum on the special seats bill on behalf of the south-south region.
State-Level Multi-Sectoral Town Hall Meeting.
Radio guest on Hit FM speaking on the importance of inclusive governance on the special seats bill.
This bill if passed will set Nigeria on a trajectory of inclusive development and accelerated progress. GADA is preparing to attend the National Public Hearing in Abuja scheduled for September 2025. The organization remains committed to ensuring that the call for women’s greater representation is amplified at the national level.