As the world marks the 2026 edition of International Women’s Day (IWD), the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has urged the Federal Government and state authorities to implement stronger protections and adopt more inclusive policies for Nigerian women.
In a statement signed by Robert Egbe, Media & Communications Officer, CAPPA over the weekend, CAPPA emphasized this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” highlighting the reality that women in Nigeria bear a significant share of the labor necessary to sustain families, communities, and the broader economy.
The organization pointed out that women across the nation manage household resources, provide care for children and relatives, and often shoulder the responsibility of keeping families afloat amid challenging economic circumstances.
Despite this central role, CAPPA noted that many women and girls continue to lack access to essential services and protections required for a dignified life. Millions of Nigerian women struggle to access safe water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and other fundamental services.
The organization also expressed concern over the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in Nigeria. Citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, CAPPA reported that approximately 31 percent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while around 9 percent have faced sexual violence at some point in their lives. Furthermore, over 10,326 cases of gender-based violence were reported between January and September 2025.
Additionally, CAPPA highlighted the alarming trend of femicide in Nigeria, which has led advocates and civil society organizations to call on authorities to treat the killing of women as a national emergency, reinforcing the need for preventive and accountability measures.
Economic inequality further exacerbates the challenges faced by women, as CAPPA pointed out. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that women are more frequently employed in low-income or informal sectors, where job security and social protections are scarce.
Women farmers, traders, and small business owners encounter difficulties accessing credit, land, and other resources vital for growing their livelihoods, particularly in the face of rising living costs that increase the burden on those managing household welfare.
The organization also underscored the low representation of women in political decision-making, noting that women currently hold just 3.9 percent of legislative seats in Nigeria, one of the lowest rates globally. Among the total of 469 members in the National Assembly, only 19 are women, including 15 in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate.
In light of these persistent issues, CAPPA is calling for urgent action from the government and stakeholders to ensure the safety, dignity, and equality of Nigerian women as we approach this significant day of recognition and advocacy for women’s rights.
According to CAPPA, Nigeria ranks 180 out of 185 countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union global ranking for women’s parliamentary representation and remains the lowest-ranked country in Sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation added that even the few women who have broken through into political leadership still face sexism, exclusion, and the undermining of their contributions or positions as equals in male-dominated political environments.
“These realities expose a clear contradiction,” the statement said. “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 said this year’s IWD theme, Give to Gain, should be understood as a demand for accountability, arguing that governments at all levels must recognise the contributions of women by creating conditions that allow them to live and lead with dignity.
The organisation called for stronger investment in public services such as water, healthcare, sanitation, and education, as well as stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. It also stressed the need to protect civic space so that women leaders, organisers, and advocates can carry out their work without fear of intimidation or repression.
CAPPA further urged policymakers to address the unequal burden of unpaid care work through measures such as affordable childcare, paid family leave, and infrastructure improvements that reduce time poverty for women. It also called for gender responsive budgeting, improved access to credit for women entrepreneurs, and policies aimed at closing the gender pay gap.
On political participation, the organisation said 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.
CAPPA reaffirmed its commitment to working with women across Nigeria who are organising around critical issues. According to the organisation, women’s leadership across communities continues to demonstrate that when women organise, 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 said. “Investing in women’s rights remains fundamental to building a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians.”
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