As the world marked International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has called for urgent and sustained efforts to advance gender equality and protect the rights of women and girls across the country.
In a statement signed by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, and issued in Abuja, the organisation urged the government and development partners to take concrete steps to address persistent discrimination, violence, and exclusion faced by millions of women and girls.
The 2026 celebration is themed: “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.”
Despite existing legal and policy frameworks, ActionAid noted that many Nigerian women continue to face systemic barriers limiting access to education, justice, economic opportunities, and political participation. Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the group revealed that 30 per cent of women aged 15 to 49, about 35.65 million, have experienced physical violence since age 15, while nine per cent, approximately 10.35 million, have suffered sexual violence.
The organisation also highlighted the low level of women’s representation in governance. According to World Bank data, women currently hold less than four per cent of seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly. Out of 469 members, only 20 are women. While states such as Anambra and Lagos have made progress, 15 states, including Kano and Sokoto, have no female legislators.
ActionAid expressed concern over Nigeria’s high number of out-of-school children, particularly girls in northern states. UNICEF data shows Nigeria has one of the highest figures globally, with poverty, harmful social norms, and weak justice systems compounding the problem. Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, the group added, often face stigma, delayed justice, and poor enforcement.
Between 2019 and 2024, ActionAid led one of Nigeria’s largest women’s rights programmes, supporting over one million women through initiatives focused on economic empowerment, political participation, and protection against gender-based violence. However, structural barriers continue to slow progress, including the stalled Special Seats Bill, which proposes reserving 74 legislative seats for women.
The organisation stressed that equal political participation is both a constitutional right and a cornerstone of inclusive development. It urged Federal and State governments to invest in gender-responsive public services, including maternal and reproductive healthcare, girl-child education, and survivor-centred justice systems.
ActionAid further called on authorities to support the passage of the Special Seats Bill, strengthen the justice system, and increase funding for women’s rights initiatives. It also urged protection of civil society organisations and activists from shrinking civic space and violence.
The group appealed to Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, to champion the Special Seats Bill as a legacy initiative that could significantly improve women’s political representation.
By Palma Ileye, Abuja
