Kogi West Speaks: A Grassroots Call for Women’s Constitutional Representation

From council chambers to community halls, a powerful message echoed across Kogi West: women deserve a constitutional seat at the table.

On May 23, 2025, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria, in collaboration with consortium partner FOMWAN, convened a district-level townhall meeting that united 30 influential stakeholders—including traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, representatives from the Ministry of Justice, civil society organizations, academia, and local government officials.

More than just a gathering, this event marked a strategic and coordinated effort to elevate grassroots voices in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future. The townhall culminated in the development of a community-driven memorandum—rooted not in theory, but in authentic dialogue and consensus—calling for the allocation of special seats for women in Nigeria’s parliament.

This critical engagement, supported by UN Women and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the UK Government, underscores a key truth: meaningful constitutional reform begins from the ground up.

FIDA Nigeria remains committed to amplifying community voices and advancing gender-inclusive governance across the country.

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