The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa has called on the federal and state governments to adopt stronger protections and more inclusive policies for Nigerian women.

This advice came as the world marked the 2026 International Women’s Day.

In a statement on Sunday by the CAPPA’s Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, he said this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” reflected the reality that women in Nigeria continue to shoulder a significant share of the labour that sustains families, communities, and the wider economy.

“CAPPA noted that across the country, women manage household resources, provide care for children and relatives, and often carry the responsibility of keeping families afloat in difficult economic conditions.

“Despite this central role, many women and girls still lack access to the basic services and protections necessary for a dignified life”, the group said.

It pointed out that millions of Nigerian women struggle to access safe water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and other essential services.

CAPPA also raised concern about the persistence of gender-based violence, citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, which revealed that about 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while about nine per cent have faced sexual violence at some point in their lives.

It added that more than 10,326 cases of gender-based violence were reported between January and September 2025.

The organisation also noted the growing concern around femicide in Nigeria, which has prompted advocates and civil society groups to repeatedly call on authorities to treat the killing of women as a national emergency and to strengthen both prevention and accountability measures.

“Economic inequality further compounds the challenges faced by women as data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that women are more likely to work in low-income or informal sectors, where job security and social protection are limited,” Egbe pointed out

He lamposted that women farmers, traders, and small business owners in various communities struggle to access credit, land, and other resources needed to grow their livelihoods, while rising living costs place additional pressure on women responsible for managing household welfare.

The organisation further highlighted the low level of women’s representation in the political decision-making process, even as it equally

stressed that women currently occupy about 3.9 per cent of legislative seats in Nigeria, one of the lowest rates globally.

“Out of 469 members of the National Assembly, only 19 are women, including 15 in the House of Representatives and the four in the Senate.

“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.”

On political participation, the organisation observed that 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.

“As we reflect on the theme: ‘Give to Gain’, true progress for Nigeria lies in recognising and reciprocating the contributions of its women.

“Investing in women’s rights remains fundamental to building a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians,” Egbe concluded. (PUNCH)

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