Parliaments & Representatives

On Thursday, 10th July 2025, the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and with support from the European Union in Nigeria, hosted a Legislative Dinner on advancing women’s political representation in Nigeria with women legislators from the State Houses of Assembly, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and women groups.

The evening brought together lawmakers, government officials, civil society partners, and members of the diplomatic community to discuss the Special Seats Bill, a constitution alteration bill aimed at improving women’s representation in Nigeria’s legislature.

In his opening remarks, Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director of PLAC, described the proposed legislation as potentially the most important since Nigeria’s independence in 1960, highlighting its transformative potential for more inclusive governance. He also commended the efforts of the Deputy Speaker in driving the process of its passage forward.

Also speaking at the event, Ambassador Gautier Mignot, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, emphasized that the Special Seats Bill is not a favour to women but a critical step toward better governance for all Nigerians. He stated that the bill would mark a historic milestone for the country, underscoring the EU’s strong support for measures that promote equity and strengthen democratic institutions.

Full article published here.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has released its Global Gender Gap Report 2025, and seven African countries are among the ten lowest-ranked nations worldwide in terms of gender parity.

In this latest edition, Pakistan sits at the very bottom — 148th out of 148 economies covered, with a gender parity score of 56.7 percent. Just above it are Sudan (57.0 percent, 147th), Chad (57.1 percent, 146th), and Iran (58.3 percent, 145th). Other African countries in the bottom 10 include Guinea (59.5 percent, 144th), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (60.1 percent, 143rd), Niger (61.3 percent, 142nd), Algeria (61.4 percent, 141st), and Mali (61.7 percent, 140th).

The Global Gender Gap Index

The Global Gender Gap Index annually benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment. These four indicators offer a data-driven lens on the structural inequalities women face globally.

In terms of gender gap rankings, Sub-Saharan Africa ranks sixth globally (of eight surveyed regions), with a gender parity score of 68.0 percent. Namibia leads the continent, achieving 81.1 percent gender parity and placing eighth globally. On the other hand, Sudan remains one of the worst performers, with a score of 57.0 percent and one of the world’s lowest levels of female political representation and labor force participation.

Full article published here.

The Maldives, a nation known for its natural beauty and growing economy, has taken meaningful steps toward gender equality. However, wage disparities persist. Women in the Maldives earn approximately 20% less than men, highlighting a gender wage gap that reflects systemic inequality. While policies have improved legal protections, barriers to equal pay and economic opportunity remain widespread. Here is information about the gender wage gap in the Maldives.

Legal Frameworks in Place

The Maldives has implemented legal reforms to support gender equality. The Gender Equality Act (2016) prohibits gender-based discrimination and mandates equal pay for equal work. The Constitution of 2008 affirms equal rights for all citizens, regardless of gender. Additionally, the government introduced a 33% quota for women in local councils to promote female political participation.

Despite these advancements, enforcement remains uneven. Women continue to face limited access to high-level positions in both the public and private sectors. As of 2024, women hold just 5% of seats in the national parliament, highlighting gaps in political representation.

Occupational Segregation and Labor Disparities

According to UNDP, women comprise 45.6% of the labor force, while men account for 77.1%. The employment gap is most evident in high-paying sectors such as construction and tourism, where male workers dominate.

The Ministry of Tourism’s 2022 Employment Survey found that women make up only 11% of resort workers, with Maldivian women representing just 8%. This underrepresentation is compounded by “occupational segregation,” in which women are concentrated in lower-wage, lower-skill jobs, limiting earning potential and career advancement.

Full article available here.

Sir: Since 1999, barely 43 women senators and 119 House members have held elective seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly. Sometimes triumphant but often solitary, their journeys tell stories of structural exclusion, and individual determination. Over 25 years of democracy in Nigeria, women have held 162 out of 3,283 legislative seats. That means women have occupied fewer than 1 in 20 (or 4.9%) seats in Nigeria’s highest law-making body.

This is not symbolic absence, but entrenched structural gap and systemic marginalisation of women in Nigeria’s political landscape.

With women holding less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly, the country ranks among the lowest globally for female political representation. The proposed Reserved Seats Bill, if passed, aims to change that trajectory, even if modestly.

The Bill offers access to formal political power, reserving 111 extra seats for women in the National Assembly, granting women a legally mandated political presence—a foot in the door. This signals constitutional recognition that gender exclusion is real. Although it could inspire a new generation of female political aspirants, critics regard it as a temporary structural fix because it’s not permanent—it designed to expire after 16 years.

Full article available here.

Morocco’s significant progress in ensuring women’s full and equal participation and representation in political and decision-making spheres was showcased by the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH) during an event held Thursday in Geneva, on the sidelines of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC).

Speaking at the second preparatory political dialogue of Glion XI, Fatima Barkan, Secretary-General of the DIDH, highlighted the impact of constitutional and legislative reforms that have substantially increased women’s representation in elected assemblies and positions of responsibility in public administration.

Following the parliamentary, regional, and municipal elections of September 8, 2021, the proportion of women elected to prefectural and provincial councils rose to 35.6%, compared to only 4.5% in 2015. Similarly, the House of Representatives increased its female representation from 81 members (20.5%) in 2016 to 96 (24.3%) in 2021, she said.

Full article available here.

A UNITED NATIONS committee has highlighted the low representation of woman in the Dáil and at Cabinet as “priority issues” that must be addressed by the state.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission stated that it welcomed the findings of the UN Committee, which is tasked with “the Elimination of Discrimination against Women”.

The Irish Commission had previously provided submissions to the UN Committee on the issue and communicated its concerns. Today, the Committee has recommended that the government amend the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012 to require 50% gender parity in the quota on political party candidate selection. 

At present, political funding available to parties is dependent whether the party meets the gender quota for candidates. Payments are reduced by 50% unless at least 40% of the candidates whose candidatures were authenticated by the party at the preceding general election were women, and 40% were men.

Full article available here.