ARTICLE 14 OF THE MAPUTO PROTOCOL ON SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH & RIGHTS (SRHR) IN THE NIGERIAN CONTEXT

 Baobab for Women's Human Rights (BAOBAB), in collaboration with Equality Now and the Solidarity for African Women's Rights (SOAWR) Coalition held a two-day residential capacity building parley on the implementation of Article 14 of the Maputo Protocol (MP) on Sexual & Reproductive Rights (SRHR) in Nigeria. The venue was The Envoy Hotel, Abuja. I was a valued delegate at the dialogue. The aim was to strengthen the capacity of state and non-state actors to advocate for and support the domestication and implementation of of Article 14 of the MP.

L-R: Hon. Dr. Uju Onwundiwe (Fmr. Member, Imo State House of Assembly) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

The Forum brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, civil society representatives, lawyers, media actors and religious/community leaders. The Forum deliberated on legal, policy and socio-cultural dimensions of SRHR in Nigeria. A platform for the design of advocacy approaches towards the domestication of the MP was developed. The facilitators were Dr. Ejiro Otive-Igbuzor and Ms. Ajobo Atuluku. Ms. Mubi Mugo and Ms. Elizabeth Alukudu were from Equality Now (Kenya).

Group Photo: 2nd left - Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, 6th from left - Yeye Bunmi Dipo-Salami (ED BAOBAB)

In my intervention, I expressed delight about the fact that this Forum on Article 14 of the MP is coming up simultaneously with the Reserved Seats Bill now before the National Assembly (NASS). The Bill, HB 1349, seeks to increase the number of legislators in Nigeria at both the NASS and the State Houses of Assembly. These two issues: Article 14 of the MP & HB 1349 would synergistically advance the cause of women in Nigeria. This is indeed a welcome coincidence! 

In her opening remarks, Yeye Bunmi called our attention to the fact that the room was a melting pot of expertise. Besides, we should acknowledge those who paved the way for our current work like Aisha Imam (Women In Nigeria - WIN), Prof. Bene Madunagu, Ms. Bilkis Yusuf, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Mme. Margaret Ekpo and many others. Despite the robust nature of the MP, the journey from Ratification to Domestication is long. The MP is still not legally enforceable in our Courts. We need to close the gap between international commitment and domestic reality. We need to strengthen the political voices of women by having more women in the legislature. That is why the 'Reserved Seats Bill' currently at the National Assembly (NASS), is a critical step to put provisions like the MP on the front burner. 

SRHR is not a foreign concept. We need to democratise it for domestic use - and such utilisation should be inclusive: CSOs, PWDs, Government, Media, Religious/Community leaders, etc. Chartam House rules apply here, so feel free to express yourself and share best practices. The entire nation is represented in this room. We expect to generate new knowledge and a clear roadmap for advancing SRHR. 

Then there was the Pre-Test administered by the facilitators. The diversity in the responses by paricipants to the same image(s) showed that even when we are perusing the same images, our experiences determine the number of things we see...

There were sessions on the following:

*Introduction to the MP & its relevance to women/girls' rights in Africa

*The MP & SRHR in the Nigerian context

*Decondtructing Article 14

*Stakeholders' perspectives & Challenges (Panel discussion)

*Group work

*Strengthening the capacity of healthcare systems

*Advocacy & communication for change

*Action plan & way forward

The Forum made the following recommendations (as contained in the Communique)

1) The strategic domestication of Article 14 of the MP

2) Align the Reserved Seats Bill with broader gender advocacy

3) Include marital rape and contraception for adoleacents in the interrogation of SRHR

4) Establish and scale accessible/inclusive shelters in SRHR services in Nigeria

5) Expand media-based advocacy for SRHR

6) Increase funding and resource mobilisation for SRHR

7) Ensure inclusion of vulnerable groups in SRHR care

8) Utilise digital platforms/AI in SRHR campaigns

9) Form cross-sector coalitions and advocacy networks to strengthen coordination in communities

Meanwhile, one of the participants has organised training of trainers (ToT) in his local community less than a week after the convening. This is indeed rapid translation of a national discourse into effective local action. We continue to interact on the WhatsApp Group labelled 'Article 14 Coalition' and I dare say the level of collaboration on the platform is nothing short of impactful so far...Congrats to all fellow participants... 

 

  

NIGERIA: THE RESERVED SEATS BILL - HB 1349

 In Nigeria's National Assembly (NASS), women hold only 4.43% of seats, far below the 35% gender parity international standard target. With women constituting about half of the population, this poor showing is unacceptable. The Reserved Seats Bill (RSB) - HB 1349 is an initiative designed to improve women's representation in Nigeria's NASS and State Houses of Assembly. In the past few days, a number of advocacy engagements have taken place to explain the Bill and democratise same for media, civil society, citizens, organised private sector and other critical stakeholders. I was a valued participant at at least two of these critical engagements: 1) Wednesday, 23rd July 2025 at Abuja Continental Hotel: Programme anchored by Women Radio's CEO, Mrs. Toun Okewale Shonaiya and supported by the Speaker, House of Representatives, CSOs, etc. 2) Tuesday, 29th July 2025 at the House of Representatives. This was an extended media briefing, again anchored by Women Radio in collaboration with the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs & Social Development. The Bill was sponsored by Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu (CFR). 

L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Ms. Beatrice Eyong (UN Women Country Representative for Nigeria & ECOWAS) on 23rd July @ Abuja Continental Hotel. We were advocating for the passage of the RSB - HB 1349...

In his speech at Abuja Continental Hotel, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbass (Ph.D, GCFR) gave an inspiring speech. HB 1349 alligns with our legislative agenda on inclusion of women. Statistics of women's representation are dismal. There are two other Bills related to HB 1349. They are HB 1189 and HB 1421. We should note that a female candidate may need to campaign througout a whole Senatorial District. We need to examine all the proposals in these related Bills in order to make them more practical. INEC needs to ease administrative complexity for women. When women seat at the table, the table becomes stronger. This Bill will be withdrawn after 16 years (i.e. 4 electoral cycles from now). 

No seating member of the NASS or State Houses of Assembly would lose his/her seat. I am aware that many men are apprehensive. But the Reserved Seats are only additions. This roundtable should declare a clear advocacy plan - How do we make these Bills key topics in the State Houses of Assembly, Committees for Women in Parliament, among First Ladies, etc? We need to transform these Bills into media-friendly advocacy. There should be Reserved Seats Desks in the House of Representatives, Senate and State Houses of Assembly. We should transform from ad hoc enthusiasm to structured engagement. We need lobbying and advocacy committees. There should be unity of purpose and uniformity of tone/effort.

The RSB is a Nigerian project. We have seen past efforts fail because of lack of effective strategy. This current effort must not fail. History would judge us for our role. We can move the needle. The cost is small, but the reward would be substantial. There should be internal structures. State governments should should work with the Houses of Assembly to pass the Bill. CSOs should strategise. Do not personalise the process. The media should remain at the vanguard of the advocacy. Specific roles should be assigned. Advocacy is not persecution. We will succeed only if we engage across genders. We should address imbalances in female representation without any backlash. We should give the passage of the Bill the seriousness it deserves.

Some of the others who spoke at the meeting were: Rt. Hon. Kafilat Ogbara (Chair, House of Reps Committee on Women Affairs); Bukie Shonibare (Invictus Africa); Ms. Ene Ede (Gender Advocate); Felicia Onibon (100 Women Lobby Group); Barr. Ebere Ifendu (President Women in Politics Forum); Dr. Helen Taiwo Adebakin (Southern Women Empowerment Forum); Lois Auta (PWD Advocate); Irene Awuna (President League of Women Voters); Yeye Bunmi Dipo-Salami (ED BAOBAB); Tobechukwu; Moremi Ojodu (SSA to the President on Community Engagement); Wan Goodie (Chinese Embassy); Ene Obi (Former CEO Action Aid); Princess Obels (Director The Electoral Hub); Seun Akinbaloye (Channels TV)

Seun Okinbaloye spoke about 'Media Advocacy Strategy: A Roadmap for Advancing Gender Representation through the Power of Media'. As regards advocacy, we need to be smarter than the last time. I propose the following:

*Strategic framing: Inform the coomunity, stoop to conquer, media should present the affrimative action proposal.

*Partner with Media Houses and reputable Blogs. Consider other partnerships.

*Advocacy should be data-driven. This should also include story-telling especially stories of women that touch hearts and spark action.

             Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the House of Representatives for advocacy on the RSB

*Use digital platforms that democratise advocacy.

*Content creation: Creativity turns scarcity into opportunity

*Note the critical role of development partners

*Win the heart of young Nigerians because they use digital tools better than oldies.

*Agree on one hashtag 

*Create a standard 'pledge' e.g. 'I pledge to stand against cultural/societal discrimination against women and girls'...

L-R: Ms. Ene Ede, Yeye Bunmi Dipo-Salami, Barr. Ebere Ifendu & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ Abuja Continental Hotel for advocacy on the RSB...

The advocacy continued at the House of Representatives with the Media briefing at the House of Representatives on the 29th of July 2025.

Committes earlier inaugurated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the 23rd of July 2025, outlined their workplans:

1) Community Engagement & Mobilisation led by Kehinde Charity Awojola:

We need to penetrate at the local government level. The 36 states and the FCT. The 774 LG Coordinators. We should foster a sense of ownership among women's groups, CSOs, influential individuals, etc. Have Town Hall meetings and elicit traditional rulers' commitment.

2) Coalition-building for Community & Stakeholder Engagement led by Rt. Hon. Bunmi Adelugba:

Enagage and mobilise key stahkeholders. Stakeholder mapping. One-on-one meetings. Social & traditional media campaigns. Consult CSOs, traditional institutions, professional associations, youth groups, student groups and PWDs. Categorise stakeholders according to their interests. For coalition-building, we should advocate and lobby. We should adjust our statistics based on feedback and train some stakeholders.

3) Content Development & Secretariat led by Tochukwu Prosper: 

Diseminate relevant info to demographics. Every progressive Bill passed into Law should positively impact the people. Explain the Bill to the populace and state clearly what the Bill is not. We shall be visible on Instagram and other social media platforms.

4) Legislative liaison led by Yeye Bunmi Dipo-Salami:

Create robust strategy for passage of Bill by October 2025. We should cultivate 'foundational relationships' in order to come up with a robust strategy. Liaise with formal and informal legislative influencers and networks. Engage in legislative lobbying at the state and federal levels. We should develop messages for lobbying. Deploy strategic communication (StratCom) and monitor proceeding with a view to teasing out issues relevant to the ventual passage of the Bill. Also keep track of 'Yes votes related to the Bill...

5) Communication & Public Relations (PR) led by Rebecca Sonuga:

Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian understands the RSB: HB 1181, HB 1421 & HB 1349. We shall use simple language that everyone can understand. Traditional and socila media should be engaged in the campaign. Use Hashtag RSB. Men and women should work side by side for the passage of the Bill. We are targetting maximum visibility for the Bill. We shall create relevant visuals on line. Legislation without communication is limitation. We shall roll out captivating videos and elicit the support of influencers. Strategic placement of content about the Bill in Editorials and Op-Ed pages. We shall debunk mis-information. This Bill is not about unqualified women, but it's about inclusion. We are very conscious of language inclusion - communication materials would be translated into Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo and Pidgin. We shall also roll out a 'fact sheet', stating clearly what the Bill is and what it's not.

With such robust strategic engagement planned by the committees, we hope this Bill would be eventually passed by both the Lower and Upper Houses and eventually assented to by the President...