By Gabriel Ameh
Abuja, Nigeria. The advocacy group Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on federal and state governments to strengthen protections for women and adopt more inclusive policies as the world marks *International Women’s Day 2026.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the organisation said this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” highlights the immense contributions women make to families, communities, and the national economy often without adequate recognition or institutional support.
CAPPA noted that Nigerian women continue to carry a significant share of responsibilities that sustain households and communities, including managing family resources and providing care for children and relatives, particularly in the face of worsening economic conditions.
“Across the country, women keep families afloat despite difficult economic conditions, yet many still lack access to basic services and protections necessary for a dignified life,” the organisation said.
The group expressed concern that millions of Nigerian women and girls still struggle to access safe water, sanitation, healthcare, and quality education, conditions it said limit opportunities for social and economic advancement.
Rising Gender-Based Violence
CAPPA also raised alarm over the persistent cases of gender-based violence in the country.
Citing figures from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, the organisation said about 31 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while roughly 9 percent have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives.
It added that over 10,326 cases of gender-based violence were reported between January and September 2025, describing the trend as deeply troubling and a call for urgent action by authorities.
“Women continue to give so much to sustain society, yet many remain trapped in systems that fail to guarantee their safety, health, political participation, and economic security,” the statement added.
CAPPA also expressed concern about the increasing incidents of femicide, noting that civil society groups have repeatedly urged authorities to treat the killing of women as a national emergency and strengthen prevention and accountability mechanisms.
Economic Inequality and Limited Opportunities
Beyond safety concerns, CAPPA said economic inequality remains a major challenge for women.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, women are more likely to work in low-income or informal sectors where job security and social protection remain limited.
The organisation noted that women farmers, traders, and small-scale entrepreneurs often face significant barriers in accessing credit facilities, land ownership, and other productive resources needed to grow their businesses.
It also pointed out that rising living costs continue to increase the burden on women who are responsible for managing household welfare.
Low Representation in Politics
CAPPA further highlighted the low representation of women in Nigeria’s political leadership.
According to the group, women currently occupy only 3.9 percent of legislative seats in the country.
Out of 469 members of the National Assembly, only 19 are women including 15 in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate—a figure the organisation described as among the lowest globally.
Citing rankings by the Inter-Parliamentary Union, CAPPA said Nigeria currently ranks 180th out of 185 countries in women’s parliamentary representation, the lowest position in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Even the few women who have attained leadership roles, the organisation said, often face sexism, exclusion, and attempts to undermine their contributions in male-dominated political spaces.
Calls for Reform
CAPPA urged governments at all levels to recognise the contributions of women by creating conditions that allow them to live and lead with dignity.
The organisation called for increased investments in essential public services such as water supply, healthcare, sanitation, and education, alongside stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
It also stressed the need to protect civic space to ensure that women leaders, organisers, and advocates can carry out their work without intimidation.
The group further advocated policies aimed at reducing the unequal burden of unpaid care work, including affordable childcare systems, paid family leave, and infrastructure improvements that reduce domestic labour.
CAPPA also called for gender-responsive budgeting, improved access to credit for women entrepreneurs, and measures to close the gender pay gap.
On political participation, the organisation urged lawmakers to pass the Special Seats for Women Bill, which it said could significantly increase women’s representation and strengthen their role in shaping national policies.
“As we reflect on the theme ‘Give to Gain,’ true progress for Nigeria lies in recognising and reciprocating the contributions of its women,” CAPPA said.
“Investing in women’s rights remains fundamental to building a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians.”
