International Women’s Day: UN Women, Akpabio, LP, SDP Call For Increased Women’s Participation In Governance

By JAMES KWEN, SAMSON ELIJAH, HELEN ONYEMOWO FOSTER, Abuja

The UN Women has called for stronger action to close gender inequality gaps in Nigeria, stressing that increased women’s participation in governance remains critical to achieving sustainable development and inclusive decision-making.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja yesterday to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration themed “Rights. Justice. Action.”, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said Nigeria continues to grapple with alarming levels of gender-based violence, while many survivors still struggle to access justice.

Eyong noted that justice must extend beyond courtrooms to communities and digital spaces, warning that technology-facilitated abuse is growing rapidly and requires urgent policy and institutional responses.

She also highlighted the wide gender gap in political representation, noting that women currently hold only 3.9 per cent of parliamentary seats in Nigeria, one of the lowest rates globally.

According to her, UN Women is advocating for the passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill while supporting gender-responsive budgeting, women-led businesses and accountability mechanisms.

She added that the organisation is also working with government institutions, traditional leaders and the private sector to expand economic opportunities for women and strengthen their roles in peace, security and governance processes.

Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, congratulated Nigerian women on the occasion of International Women’s Day, praising their resilience, sacrifices and contributions to national development.

In a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio described women as pillars of strength whose roles in families, communities and national life remain invaluable.

He said mothers remain among the greatest gifts God has given humanity, noting that he personally benefited from the love, care and guidance of women, particularly his mother who shaped his life and values.

Akpabio added that Nigerian women continue to play significant roles across different sectors including governance, business, education and healthcare, and therefore deserve greater opportunities to contribute to national development.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to promoting policies that encourage increased participation of women in political and economic processes.

Also speaking, the Labour Party Interim National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, called for stronger inclusion of women in governance and decision-making processes across Nigeria.

Usman described Nigerian women as resilient and hardworking but lamented their continued underrepresentation in positions of authority despite their immense contributions to national development.

She noted that women have consistently demonstrated leadership, competence and dedication in different sectors and therefore deserve equal opportunities to serve the nation, stressing that Nigeria can only achieve its full potential when women are fully represented in governance.

In the same vein, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) National Women Leader, Sa’adatu Abdullahi, urged Nigerian women to take bold steps toward greater political participation.

Abdullahi commended Nigerian women for their resilience and leadership, describing them as the backbone of society and key stakeholders in shaping policies that address social inequalities and gender disparities.

She called on government, civil society organisations and political institutions to create enabling environments that allow women to access leadership opportunities without discrimination, noting that organised and politically active women remain vital to Nigeria’s development and democratic growth.