ActionAid Nigeria Calls for Urgent Investment in Women, Gender Equality
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has called for the urgent investment in women and accelerated progress towards gender equality.
This was the message of the organisation to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day with the theme, ‘Investing in Women, Accelerating Progress’, is not just a call to action, it is a non-negotiable requirement for sustainable development, justice, and equity.”
AAN, in a statement yesterday explained that: “Women are the backbone of our economy, democracy, and communities. They lead, innovate, and build. Yet, in Nigeria, we continue to witness systemic efforts to stifle women’s participation, particularly in male-dominated spaces. From governance to corporate leadership and civil society, women who challenge the status quo often face intimidation, harassment, and exclusion.”
It therefore noted that the resignation of Mojisola Meranda in Lagos House of Assembly and the sexual harassment allegations raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan are stark reminders of the challenges women encounter in leadership.
The statement signed by the Country Director, AAN, Andrew Mamedu, read: “These incidents raise urgent questions: Where is the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)? What role is the Code of Conduct Bureau playing in ensuring accountability and justice? If we are serious about accelerating progress, institutions must work effectively to protect women in leadership from intimidation and harassment.
“At ActionAid Nigeria, we have seen firsthand the impact of investing in women. Through initiatives such as the Women’s Voice and Leadership Project, we have supported local women’s rights organizations to drive meaningful change. We are tackling harmful social norms through the Multistakeholder Action on the Prevention of Gender Based Violence (MAP-GBV) Project while empowering young girls as researchers and change agents through the Girl-led Research and Action initiative. These investments do more than uplift women, they create stronger families, healthier communities, and a more inclusive society.”
The statement added that: “Prioritising women’s rights and empowerment is not just a moral obligation but an economic and social imperative. All tiers of government; federal, state, and local must take decisive action by implementing policies and programmes that create real and lasting impact for women and girls. Increased investments in gender-responsive public services are essential to ensuring women have equitable access to land ownership, financial inclusion, and decent work opportunities.
“The federal and state governments must strengthen and enforce laws that protect women from gender-based violence, ensure swift and fair judicial processes for survivors, and eliminate barriers that hinder access to justice. Leadership structures must be comprehensively overhauled to enable women’s full and active participation in governance, policymaking, and economic development.”
