As Nigeria joined the global community to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, ActionAid Nigeria has called for urgent political and institutional reforms to address the persistent marginalisation of women, warning that gender inequality continues to weaken democratic governance and social justice in the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the organisation said the continued underrepresentation of women in governance, alongside widespread cases of gender-based violence, reflects deep structural imbalances that require immediate government intervention.
Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” must translate into concrete policy actions rather than symbolic commitments.
He noted that despite existing legal and policy frameworks designed to protect women’s rights, millions of Nigerian women still face violence, discrimination and exclusion from key decision-making spaces.
Citing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the organisation said about 30 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49—an estimated 35.65 million people—have experienced physical violence since the age of 15. In addition, around nine per cent of women, representing more than 10 million individuals, have suffered sexual violence.
ActionAid also raised concerns about Nigeria’s low level of women’s political representation. According to data referenced from the World Bank, women occupy less than four per cent of seats in the National Assembly of Nigeria, with only 20 female lawmakers out of the 469-member legislature.
The organisation further observed that while states such as Anambra State and Lagos State have made modest progress in promoting women’s participation in governance, at least 15 states—including Kano State and Sokoto State—currently have no women serving in their state assemblies.
It also highlighted the widening education gap affecting girls. Data from UNICEF shows that Nigeria remains among countries with the highest number of out-of-school children globally, with girls disproportionately affected, particularly in northern communities.
According to ActionAid, these statistics reflect the lived realities of millions of girls forced to abandon their education due to poverty and harmful cultural practices, as well as survivors of sexual and gender-based violence who often face stigma and limited access to justice.
While acknowledging the efforts of civil society organisations and development partners in advancing women’s empowerment initiatives, the organisation said structural barriers within governance systems continue to slow meaningful progress.
ActionAid Nigeria noted that between 2019 and 2024 it implemented one of the country’s largest women’s rights programmes, supporting more than one million women through economic empowerment initiatives, political participation platforms and gender-based violence prevention programmes.
However, the organisation stressed that lasting progress requires structural reforms, particularly the proposed Special Seats Bill, which seeks to reserve 74 legislative seats for women as a temporary measure to address the severe gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political institutions.
It described the proposed legislation as a transformative reform capable of significantly improving women’s political participation and strengthening inclusive governance.
ActionAid therefore urged federal and state governments to prioritise gender-responsive public investments, expand access to healthcare and education for women and girls, and strengthen justice mechanisms to ensure timely responses to cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
The organisation also called on Nigeria’s First Lady to champion the passage of the Special Seats Bill, describing it as a landmark initiative that could reshape the country’s democratic landscape and broaden opportunities for women in leadership.
It further appealed to international development partners to increase funding for women-led organisations and safeguard civic spaces where women’s rights advocates operate.
ActionAid Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders across the country to build a society where women and girls can live free from violence, fully exercise their rights and participate meaningfully in shaping Nigeria’s future.
