The Imperative of Domesticating the Maputo Protocol to Enhance the Special Seats Bill

The gap between aspiration and action remains wide particularly when it comes to women's political participation. Our new policy brief, 'The Imperative of Domesticating the Maputo Protocol to Enhance the Special Seats Bill,' presents a compelling argument for why these two legislative priorities must go hand in hand.

The Maputo Protocol, ratified by Nigeria in 2004, offers a comprehensive, African-led legal framework that protects and promotes women’s rights across political, social, and economic spheres. Yet, two decades on, it remains undomesticated — a significant barrier to enforcing its transformative provisions.

As Nigeria's House of Representatives considers the Special Seats Bill to address the gross underrepresentation of women in governance, the domestication of the Maputo Protocol is not just complementary it is essential. Without the legal weight of this Protocol behind it, the Special Seats Bill risks being a well-intentioned, but ultimately shallow fix.

Read our full policy brief to understand how domestication strengthens the Bill and Nigeria's democracy. https://efeb8f88-f116-46c0-8461-f759fcc9d398.filesusr.com/ugd/b8e435_de3a65fd62a843df9cf0dea4ef8f45b0.pdf

📣 Join us in calling on the National Assembly to act now! It is imperative that we unite our voices and demand immediate action from our representatives in the National Assembly. The issues at hand are pressing and require urgent attention to ensure the well-being and prosperity of our community.

We must advocate for policies that address the challenges we face, whether they pertain to healthcare, education, environmental protection, or social justice. Our collective efforts can create a significant impact, and it is crucial that we make our demands heard loud and clear.

Together, we can urge our lawmakers to prioritize the needs of the people they serve and take decisive steps towards meaningful reform. Let us mobilize and make it known that we expect prompt and effective action from our elected officials!