Govt Asked To Invest More In Women

A non-governmental organisation, the Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID), in collaboration with the Nigeria Women Trust Fund (NWTF), has called on government and relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts toward empowering women to reduce their vulnerability and promote sustainable development.

The executive director of PIBCID, Rachael Remileku Akande, made the call during an event organised for women in Ganaja community, Ajaokuta local government area of Kogi State, to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day with the theme “Give to Gain.”

Akande said the celebration provided an opportunity to honour the strength, resilience and achievements of women and girls around the world.

“On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026, PIBCID joins the global community to celebrate the strength, resilience and achievements of women and girls,” she said.

She noted that the theme “Give to Gain” underscores the importance of investing in women, stressing that such investment is a pathway to sustainable development.

According to her, when women are empowered through education, leadership opportunities, protection of their rights and access to economic resources, families thrive, communities grow stronger and nations prosper.

Akande explained that the rationale for commemorating the day was to highlight the importance of supporting, empowering and investing in women as a strategy for sustainable social and economic development.

The ED reiterated that PIBCID remains committed to promoting women’s empowerment, gender equality, child rights education and protection from violence, particularly at the grassroots level through advocacy, community engagement and capacity-building initiatives.

She added that the organisation would continue to support women and girls to realise their full potential.

In her presentation, the guest speaker, Barrister Oluwakemi Omeiza, Chairperson of FEDA, said the celebration was aimed at recognising and celebrating the contributions of women in leadership, community development and nation-building.

Omeiza added that the event also served to raise awareness about the challenges women face, including gender inequality, violence, limited access to resources and economic barriers.

She stressed the need for collective action and stronger partnerships among government institutions, civil society organisations and communities to support women’s advancement.

According to her, the “Give to Gain” philosophy emphasises that when society invests in women through education, health, economic empowerment and protection of their rights, the entire community benefits.

She noted that the event also served as a platform to inspire action, strengthen advocacy for women’s rights and reaffirm commitment to building inclusive and equitable communities.