IWD 2026: CAPPA Calls for Urgent Action to Protect and Empower Nigerian Women

By Love Oyedokun

As the world commemorates International Women’s Day, IWD 2026, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) is urging the Nigerian government to enact stronger protections and more inclusive policies for women, highlighting persistent inequalities and alarming rates of gender-based violence.

Cablenews24 reports that in a statement released over the weekend, CAPPA emphasized that this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” underscores the disproportionate burden shouldered by Nigerian women in sustaining families, communities, and the national economy. Despite their critical role as caregivers, resource managers, and economic drivers, millions of women continue to face systemic barriers to basic services, economic opportunities, and political representation.

“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,” CAPPA stated.

The organization raised serious concerns about the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in Nigeria. Citing data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, CAPPA reported that approximately 31 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while about 9 percent have faced sexual violence. Furthermore, over 10,326 cases of gender-based violence were reported between January and September 2025 alone, revealing the urgent need for stronger prevention and response mechanisms.

The rise in femicide cases has also prompted advocacy groups and civil society organizations to call on the authorities to treat the killing of women as a national emergency, demanding strengthened prevention and accountability measures.

Beyond violence, CAPPA highlighted the lack of access to essential services for many Nigerian women. Millions struggle to secure safe water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and other necessities for a dignified life.

Economic inequality further exacerbates the challenges faced by women, according to CAPPA. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that women are disproportionately employed in low-income or informal sectors, where job security and social protection are limited. Women farmers, traders, and small business owners struggle to access credit, land, and other resources critical for growing their livelihoods. The rising cost of living further strains women, who are often responsible for managing household welfare.

A glaring illustration of the systemic disadvantages facing women is their underrepresentation in political decision-making. Women currently hold only about 3.9 percent of legislative seats in Nigeria, ranking the country 180 out of 185 in the Inter-Parliamentary Union global ranking for women’s parliamentary representation, and the lowest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Out of 469 members of the National Assembly, only 19 are women (15 in the House of Representatives and 4 in the Senate). Even those who have broken through face sexism, exclusion, and undermining of their contributions in male-dominated political environments.

CAPPA is urging the government to recognize women’s contributions by creating conditions that allow them to live and lead with dignity. To achieve this, the organization has laid out several critical recommendations:

• Invest in Public Services: Increase investment in essential services such as water, healthcare, sanitation, and education.
• Strengthen Laws and Enforcement: Enact and enforce stronger laws to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
• Protect Civic Space: Ensure women leaders, organizers, and advocates can carry out their work without fear of intimidation or repression.
• Address Unpaid Care Work: Implement measures such as affordable childcare, paid family leave, and infrastructure improvements to alleviate the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work on women.
• Promote Economic Equality: Implement gender-responsive budgeting, improve access to credit for women entrepreneurs, and enact policies to close the gender pay gap.
• Increase Political Representation: Swiftly pass the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill to increase women’s representation and ensure their voices play a stronger role in shaping national policies.

As the world marks the IWD 2026, CAPPA reaffirmed its commitment to working with women across Nigeria who are organizing around critical issues, recognizing that women’s leadership across communities demonstrates that when women organize, societies move closer to justice.

“As we reflect on the theme ‘Give to Gain’, true progress for Nigeria lies in recognising and reciprocating the contributions of its women,” the organisation concluded. “Investing in women’s rights remains fundamental to building a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians.”

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