Edo Govt Partners Stakeholders to Advance Women’s Representation in Governance

By Rosemary Okoduwa

The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s inclusion in governance, expressing strong support for a proposed Gender Composition Bill aimed at increasing female representation in leadership positions.

This position was made known when the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Eugenia Abdallah, received a delegation of gender advocates on an advocacy visit in Benin City. The meeting brought together key stakeholders working to promote inclusive governance and equitable representation.

The delegation, led by Nelson Otaboe, Programme Assistant at Advocates Foundation, included Grace Obakina, Executive Director of Caring Heart Initiative, and the Executive Director of MIND Initiative, Mrs. Wonderful, alongside other team members.

At the heart of the engagement was the proposed Gender Composition Bill, a legislative framework designed to institutionalize women’s participation in governance and ensure more balanced representation across key decision-making structures.

The advocates stressed the urgency of the bill, noting that women currently occupy only about three out of over 30 cabinet positions in Edo State, roughly 10 percent far below the 35 percent affirmative action benchmark set by the government. They emphasized that the bill would help address structural barriers such as political incumbency while strengthening accountability to existing gender inclusion commitments.

They further highlighted that the initiative aligns with a broader nationwide movement to promote gender-balanced governance, underscoring its significance beyond the state.

Responding, Hon. Abdallah commended the delegation for its proactive advocacy and described the proposed legislation as a vital step toward achieving inclusive governance in Edo State. She reaffirmed her dedication to promoting women’s participation in leadership and decision-making processes.

The Commissioner pledged her full support for the bill at the executive level and called for sustained collaboration among stakeholders. She also offered to facilitate further engagement with the Office of the First Lady to help advance the initiative, assuring the delegation of her continued commitment to its realization.

A major highlight of the visit was the formal presentation of the draft Gender Composition Bill to the Commissioner, marking a significant step toward its consideration and potential adoption.

The engagement reflects ongoing efforts by stakeholders to institutionalize gender equity and promote fair representation in governance across Edo State.