IWD: NHRC, ActionAid Push For Women, Girls’ Rights, Welfare

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for urgent nationwide action to protect women and girls, warning that child marriage, gender-based violence and low political representation still threaten gender equality in Nigeria.

The executive secretary of the commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu, made the call at the weekend in a message marking the 2026 International Women’s Day, urging government institutions, communities and stakeholders to move beyond promises and take concrete steps to safeguard women’s rights.

Similarly, ActionAid Nigeria has called for urgent, concrete, and sustained action to advance gender equality and secure the rights and dignity of women and girls across the country.

The organisation made the call yesterday in Abuja to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, themed “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.”

Meanwhile, Ojukwu said the theme of this year’s celebration, ” Give to Gain”, underscores the need for deliberate investment in women through education, mentorship and economic opportunities in order to build a more equitable and prosperous society.

He noted that the Commission, in line with its mandate to promote and protect human rights in Nigeria, remains committed to defending the dignity and rights of women and girls across the country.

According to him, the NHRC operates a dedicated department focusing on women and children’s issues, which has handled numerous complaints related to sexual and gender-based violence, discrimination and other forms of abuse.

The NHRC boss, however, expressed concern over the continued practice of early and forced marriage in some communities, warning that the practice deprives girls of education, exposes them to health risks and limits their future opportunities.

He also highlighted the persistent under-representation of women in political and decision-making positions, stressing that inclusive governance cannot be achieved without meaningful participation of women.

The NHRC chief therefore called for stronger implementation of laws and policies protecting women and girls, as well as improved access to justice for victims of rights violations.

On its part, ActionAid Nigeria, in a statement signed by its Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, noted that despite Nigeria’s adoption of key legal and policy frameworks aimed at protecting women, millions of women and girls still face discrimination, violence, and exclusion.

Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, ActionAid Nigeria said 30 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, representing about 35.65 million women, while 9 percent have experienced sexual violence, amounting to roughly 10.35 million women.

The organisation also referenced figures from the World Bank, which show that women occupy less than four percent of seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly, with only 20 women out of the 469-member legislature, while 449 seats are held by men.

According to the group, although some states such as Anambra State and Lagos State have relatively higher levels of women’s representation, 15 states, including Kano State and Sokoto State, have no women in their state assemblies.

It further cited data from UNICEF indicating that Nigeria has one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally, with girls disproportionately affected, particularly in northern parts of the country.

ActionAid Nigeria stressed that behind these statistics are real lives, noting that many girls are withdrawn from school due to poverty and harmful social norms, while survivors of sexual and gender-based violence often face stigma, delayed justice, and weak enforcement systems.

The organisation added that rural women, young women, women living with disabilities, and those in conflict-affected communities continue to face compounded barriers that limit their safety, voices, and economic opportunities.

While acknowledging the efforts of civil society organisations and development partners in advancing women’s rights programming, the group said progress has often been slowed by systemic barriers within government institutions.

It noted that between 2019 and 2024, ActionAid Nigeria implemented one of the country’s largest women’s rights programmes aimed at strengthening women’s voices and leadership.

The initiative, according to the organisation, supported over one million women through economic empowerment, political participation, and protection against gender-based violence.

However, it said structural challenges have continued to slow the pace of impact, citing the yet-to-be-passed Special Seats Bill, which proposes reserving 74 seats for women to address the gender gap in political representation.

The organisation argued that the reform would significantly improve women’s political inclusion and strengthen Nigeria’s global standing in women’s representation.

“Women should not have to struggle for inclusion in governance. Equal political participation is a constitutional right and a foundation for accountable leadership and inclusive development,” the statement said.

ActionAid Nigeria stressed that International Women’s Day must move beyond symbolic commitments, insisting that women’s rights must be enforceable, justice must be accessible and timely, and action must be deliberate, properly funded, and sustained.

The organisation therefore called on federal and state governments to prioritise gender-responsive public services, improve access to quality healthcare and education for girls, and ensure that survivors of gender-based violence receive justice, protection, and support services.

It also urged governments to support the passage and implementation of the Special Seats Bill to boost women’s political representation and strengthen justice systems to ensure timely and survivor-centred responses to sexual and gender-based violence.

ActionAid Nigeria further called on the First Lady to champion the passage of the bill as a legacy project that would advance women’s political inclusion in the country.

The organisation also urged development partners to increase funding for women’s rights and women-led initiatives, warning against cuts that could undermine the progress made by activists and civil society organisations.

“As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, ActionAid Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to building a society where every woman and girl can live safely, speak freely, claim her rights, and shape her future,” the statement added.