Women Journalists, Advocates Push for Passage of Special Seats Bill
Women in media and gender advocacy groups have renewed calls for the speedy passage of the Special Seats Bill currently before the National Assembly, citing it as a critical step toward inclusive governance and increased female representation in Nigerian politics.
The call was made during a strategic wellness and advocacy event organised by Gender Strategy Advancement International (GSAI) in partnership with the Women in Media Development Initiative (WIMDI) and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ). The event, held in Abuja, brought together over 33 prominent women in journalism, gender advocates, and civil society leaders for a day of fitness, strategy sessions, and mental wellness, aimed at amplifying public support for the bill.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Adaora Sydney Jack, founder of GSAI, described the bill as a legislative gateway for correcting long-standing gender imbalance in governance. She urged media practitioners to take ownership of the public campaign for the bill’s passage by engaging audiences with consistent and compelling storytelling.
“The Special Seats Bill is not just about women; it’s about national progress and making room for more voices in leadership,” Jack stated. “The media must help the public understand what this bill stands for and why it matters now more than ever.”
The event featured panel discussions with top media figures, including Osasu Igbinedion, Chief Executive Officer of TOS TV Network, and Chizoba Ogbechie of NAWOJ. Both speakers examined past legislative efforts on gender inclusion and explored new strategies for strengthening media advocacy around the bill.
Participants engaged in a strategy huddle that produced a unified campaign message: “Special Seats Are for All of Us.” The slogan is expected to feature prominently across radio, television, print, and digital platforms in the coming weeks as part of an organized media push.
Earlier in the day, the programme opened with high energy aerobics led by celebrity fitness coach Uchenna Ayah and a calming yoga session with wellness expert Ngozi Emelonu, highlighting the importance of self-care for women advocates often at the frontline of policy reform campaigns.
Mental health therapist Dr. Sa’adatu Adamu also delivered a talk on emotional resilience and self awareness, offering participants practical tools for managing stress and sustaining their advocacy work.
A key resolution from the event was a collective agreement among media women to amplify gender legislative advocacy in their programming and publications especially at the grassroots level where understanding of policy issues remains limited.
“The fate of this bill doesn’t rest with lawmakers alone,” said one participant. “If we don’t explain it well to the public, we risk losing momentum. The media is the bridge.”
The organisers GSAI and WIMDI commended all participants and reaffirmed their commitment to pushing the gender inclusion agenda until the bill becomes law. The event ended with a renewed sense of purpose and unity, as stakeholders pledged to keep the conversation active until meaningful representation is achieved.
