Women groups across Ondo State on Tuesday rallied in support of the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in elective and appointive positions, urging the passage of the proposed Reserved Seats for Women Bill.

The women, mobilised by the Nigeria League of Women Voters (NILOWV), the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), the International Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA), and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), converged at the premises of the State Ministry of Women Affairs.

Participants at the rally included representatives of the Forum of Muslim Women, female political aspirants, and female-led non-governmental organisations, among others.

Speaking at the gathering, leaders of the groups emphasised the need for sustained advocacy to ensure the passage of the bill, which they said would enhance women’s representation in governance.

The State Chairperson of FIDA, Mrs. Bolanle Olafunmiloye, explained that the rally was organised in support of the Special Seats Bill, also known as the Reserved Seats for Women Bill—a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at addressing the persistent gender imbalance in Nigeria’s legislative institutions.

She noted that the initiative was not intended to compete with men but to complement existing structures by creating additional seats for women in both the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly, thereby promoting inclusive governance.

Also speaking, the State President of NCWS, Bishop Mrs. Oluseyi Odusola, called on women to unite in pursuit of shared goals, stressing the urgency of passing the bill.

She described women as competent and capable leaders across various fields and advocated the Reserved Seats approach as a practical step toward increasing female participation in decision-making.

In her remarks, a female aspirant for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, Mrs. Olamide Falana, lamented the limited access of women to political offices despite their numerical strength.

She described the bill as a necessary remedy to the marginalisation of women in politics and appealed to the National Assembly to expedite its passage.

Falana expressed optimism that the bill, if passed, would position Nigeria among nations that promote gender inclusion and empower women to break barriers.

The rally also featured the presentation of petitions to Ondo lawmakers in the National Assembly, including the Senator representing Ondo Central, Adeniyi Adegbonmire (SAN), and the member representing Akure South/North Federal Constituency, Mr. Derin Adesida, both of whom pledged their support for the bill.