Tuesday, March, 10 2026 - The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa has called on the federal and state governments to adopt stronger protections and more inclusive policies for Nigerian women.
This advice came as the world marked the 2026 International
Women’s Day.
In a statement on Sunday by the CAPPA’s Media and
Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, he said this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,”
reflected the reality that women in Nigeria continue to shoulder a significant
share of the labour that sustains families, communities, and the wider economy.
“CAPPA noted that across the country, women manage household
resources, provide care for children and relatives, and often carry the
responsibility of keeping families afloat in difficult economic conditions.
“Despite this central role, many women and girls still lack
access to the basic services and protections necessary for a dignified life”,
the group said.
It pointed out that millions of Nigerian women struggle to
access safe water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and other essential
services.
CAPPA also raised concern about the persistence of
gender-based violence, citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, which
revealed that about 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have
experienced physical violence, while about nine per cent have faced sexual
violence at some point in their lives.
It added that more than 10,326 cases of gender-based
violence were reported between January and September 2025.
The organisation also noted the growing concern around
femicide in Nigeria, which has prompted advocates and civil society groups to
repeatedly call on authorities to treat the killing of women as a national
emergency and to strengthen both prevention and accountability measures.
“Economic inequality further compounds the challenges faced
by women as data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that women are
more likely to work in low-income or informal sectors, where job security and
social protection are limited,” Egbe pointed out
He lamposted that women farmers, traders, and small business
owners in various communities struggle to access credit, land, and other
resources needed to grow their livelihoods, while rising living costs place
additional pressure on women responsible for managing household welfare.
The organisation further highlighted the low level of
women’s representation in the political decision-making process, even as it
equally
stressed that women currently occupy about 3.9 per cent of
legislative seats in Nigeria, one of the lowest rates globally.
“Out of 469 members of the National Assembly, only 19 are
women, including 15 in the House of Representatives and the four in the Senate.
“Nigerian women give so much to sustain society, yet many
continue to live within systems that fail to guarantee their safety, health,
political participation, and economic security.”
On political participation, the organisation observed that
legislative reforms, such as the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill could
help increase women’s representation and ensure that women’s voices play a
stronger role in shaping national policies.
It, therefore, called for the swift passage of the bill.
“As we reflect on the theme: ‘Give to Gain’, true progress
for Nigeria lies in recognising and reciprocating the contributions of its
women.
“Investing in women’s rights remains fundamental to
building a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians,” Egbe concluded.
0 Comments