Strengthening Protections for Women in Nigeria
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), has called on the Federal Government and state authorities to enhance protections and implement more inclusive policies for women as the world observes International Women’s Day 2026. The organisation highlighted that this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” underscores the significant contributions of Nigerian women to families, communities, and the broader economy.
In a statement released on Sunday, CAPPA emphasized that women play vital roles in managing household resources, caring for children and relatives, and supporting families during challenging economic times. Despite these responsibilities, many women and girls still lack access to essential services and protections necessary for a dignified life.
The organisation pointed out that millions of Nigerian women struggle to access safe water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and other fundamental services. Additionally, gender-based violence remains a pressing issue in the country. According to the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, approximately 31% of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while about 9% have faced sexual violence at some point in their lives. Between January and September 2025, over 10,326 cases of gender-based violence were reported.
Femicide has also become a growing concern in Nigeria, with civil society groups urging authorities to treat the killing of women as a national emergency. These groups advocate for stronger measures to prevent such incidents and ensure accountability.
Economic inequality further exacerbates the challenges faced by women. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that women are more likely to work in low-income or informal sectors where job security and social protection are limited. Women farmers, traders, and small business owners often face difficulties in accessing credit, land, and other resources needed to expand their livelihoods. Rising living costs add to the pressure on women, who are primarily responsible for managing household welfare.
CAPPA also highlighted the low level of women’s representation in political decision-making. Currently, women occupy about 3.9% 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 four in the Senate. Nigeria ranks 180 out of 185 countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union global ranking for women’s parliamentary representation and is the lowest-ranked country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Even the few women who have entered political leadership still face sexism, exclusion, and the undermining of their contributions in male-dominated environments. These realities reveal a clear contradiction: 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.
CAPPA urged governments at all levels to recognize the contributions of women by creating conditions that allow them to live and lead with dignity. The organisation called for stronger investment in public services such as water, healthcare, sanitation, and education. It also stressed the need for stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. Protecting civic space is essential to ensure that women leaders, organisers, and advocates can carry out their work without fear of intimidation or repression.
Policymakers must address the unequal burden of unpaid care work through measures such as affordable childcare, paid family leave, and infrastructure improvements that reduce time poverty for women. Gender-responsive budgeting, improved access to credit for women entrepreneurs, and policies aimed at closing the gender pay gap are also critical.
On political participation, CAPPA suggested that legislative reforms, such as the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill, could help increase women’s representation and ensure they play a stronger role in shaping national policies. The organisation called for the swift passage of the bill.
CAPPA reaffirmed its commitment to working with women across Nigeria who are organizing around critical issues affecting their communities. As the organisation concluded, “Investing in women’s rights remains fundamental to building a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians.”
