Nigeria’s Youngest Female Lawmaker Lends Voice Against Violence Towards Women In Ghana

Nigeria’s youngest serving lawmaker, Rukayat Shittu, was among female legislators from across Africa who participated in the West Africa Female Parliamentarians Peer Review Conference on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) held in Accra, Ghana.

The three-day conference, organised by the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF) with the support of the UN Women West and Central Africa Regional Office and the European Union, brought together female parliamentarians, gender ministers, ECOWAS lawmakers and development partners to review legislative responses to violence against women and girls, while strengthening regional collaboration.

As part of the programme, participants paid an official visit to the Parliament of Ghana under the leadership of the Executive Director of WIPF, Ebere Ifendu.

The delegation observed parliamentary proceedings and interacted with members of the Ghanaian Parliament.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in peer review sessions to examine existing legal frameworks on violence against women and girls, identify implementation challenges, and exchange practical legislative experiences from their respective countries.

Shittu was part of a regional working group comprising legislators from Ghana, Senegal and Uganda, where participants reviewed country-specific experiences and discussed legislative approaches to strengthening protections for women and girls.

Unlike conventional conferences centred primarily on speeches, the peer review format encouraged participants to assess one another’s legislative frameworks, share best practices, and develop recommendations aimed at improving laws, parliamentary oversight and regional cooperation.

The conference is expected to strengthen the network of female parliamentarians working together on legislative reforms, advocacy and the implementation of measures to address violence against women and girls across West Africa.

Shittu, who represents the Owode/Onire Constituency in the Kwara State House of Assembly, joined delegates from across the region in discussions focused on strengthening democratic institutions through responsive legislation and enhanced collaboration among African parliaments.

During the plenary session, the Speaker of the Parliament of Ghana, Alban Bagbin, welcomed the delegation and individually acknowledged Hon. Shittu alongside other participants present in the chamber.

Her participation in the conference, as well as her recognition during the visit to the Parliament of Ghana, formed part of Nigeria’s contribution to the regional dialogue on promoting the rights, safety and wellbeing of women and girls.