Building a more inclusive society requires more than good intentions. It requires deliberate action, strong institutions, and laws that ensure everyone has a fair chance to participate in governance.
This belief was at the heart of a recent engagement between AdvoKC Foundation's Edo State Cluster Members and the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani.
The visit formed part of our ongoing advocacy under the Strengthening Women and Youth Participation in Politics and Governance project, through which we are championing the proposed Gender Composition Bill. The bill seeks to promote equitable gender representation in appointive political and public offices by ensuring that no gender occupies less than 35 per cent of such positions.
The AdvoKC Foundation delegation, led by Nelson Otabor, included Grace Eseobakina, Wonderful Osa-Temple Akinwa, Olawole Olayinka, and Chinye Patrick-Biose. The team met with Mrs. Anani at the Edo State Government House to discuss the importance of creating a legal framework that protects and strengthens women's participation in governance.
During the meeting, Nelson Otabor provided an overview of AdvoKC Foundation's work in promoting accountability, good governance, and citizen participation. He explained that the proposed Gender Composition Bill is designed to move beyond promises and create a lasting framework that guarantees fair representation for women in government appointments.
He also highlighted that the bill would help institutionalise the commitment made by Governor Monday Okpebholo during the 2024 governorship campaign to allocate 35 per cent of cabinet and appointive positions to women. By enshrining such commitments in law, future administrations would be encouraged to maintain and build upon the progress already achieved.
Speaking further, Grace Eseobakina emphasised that sustainable change requires more than political goodwill. She noted that the proposed legislation would ensure that women's representation remains protected regardless of who occupies public office in the future. She also appealed for executive support to help facilitate the bill's introduction and passage through the Edo State House of Assembly.
In her response, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani commended the initiative and expressed appreciation for the Foundation's efforts to advance inclusive governance in Edo State. She noted that the current administration has already exceeded the 35 per cent benchmark for women's representation in appointive positions and welcomed the idea of establishing a legal framework that would preserve and sustain those gains beyond the tenure of the present government.
Importantly, she expressed support for the objectives of the bill and assured the delegation that she would review the draft legislation and provide feedback.
The meeting concluded with the formal presentation of the draft Gender Composition Bill to the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady.
For AdvoKC Foundation, the visit represented more than an advocacy meeting. It was another step in the journey towards building a governance system where inclusion is not dependent on individual administrations but is protected by law and embedded in public institutions.
As conversations around representation continue across Edo State and the wider South-West region, we remain committed to working with the government, civil society, and citizens to ensure that women and young people have a meaningful voice in shaping the future of their communities.
Because when governance reflects the diversity of the people it serves, everyone benefits.
