The United Nations has expressed deep distress over the continued abduction of schoolgirls in Nigeria, urging stronger protections for women and girls as well as renewed commitment to gender equality and empowerment across the country.
UN Women Deputy Executive Director, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, who visited Nigeria over the weekend, said the persistent kidnappings highlight the urgent need to guarantee the safety of girls in schools, communities, homes and online. Speaking emotionally, she said she felt the pain of the abducted girls “as a mother” and joined calls for their immediate release.
“I wonder what they ate today, where they slept, whether they were inappropriately touched, and what fears or trauma they face,” she said. “Every girl has a right to security and to education.”
Gumbonzvanda warned that violence against women and girls remains widespread in Nigeria and globally, with one in three women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. She raised particular concern over technology-facilitated gender-based violence, which affects up to 58 percent of women worldwide.
The UN Women official said the organisation is supporting governments to strengthen policy frameworks, enhance digital safety and ensure accountability for online harms. She emphasised the urgency of legal reforms and regional cooperation, particularly across West Africa and the Sahel, to protect women’s rights and promote peace and stability.
Commending the National Assembly for efforts to strengthen legislation safeguarding women and girls, Gumbonzvanda noted that women’s representation in parliament—at 3.8 percent—remains far below the global average of 27.2 percent. She urged Nigeria to adopt affirmative action measures, including quotas and special seats, which she described as internationally recognised tools for boosting women’s political participation.
On economic empowerment, Gumbonzvanda highlighted that women make up over 70 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural labour force but face major barriers to land, credit and markets. She stressed that gender-responsive budgeting and investments in women farmers and entrepreneurs could significantly boost national growth and resilience.
“Empowering women economically is not charity—it is development and innovation,” she said, noting that closing gender gaps in labour participation could add trillions to global GDP.
During her visit, Gumbonzvanda met with lawmakers, diplomats, civil society groups and community women driving local development efforts. She also visited Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory, where she joined women in cassava processing and saw firsthand the impact of community-level agro-processing initiatives.
She emphasised that improved access to water, sanitation and targeted investment in rural women’s livelihoods would reduce unpaid care burdens and expand economic opportunities.
Reaffirming the UN’s commitment, she said UN Women will continue to mobilise partnerships, support frontline organisations and help Nigeria translate its commitments on gender equality into measurable results.
“Nigeria has demonstrated strong leadership,” she said. “UN Women stands ready to support all efforts to secure the rights, safety and empowerment of every woman and girl.”
