ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has tasked Nigerian legislators to pass all the outstanding gender laws before them to enhance women’s rights.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu SAN, OFR, made the call on Thursday as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day.
The theme of this years celebration is: “Accelerate Action.” “For all women and girls, Rights, Equality and Empowerment.
Ojukwu recalled that at our current pace, we are caught up by the World Economic Forum, (WEF) Global, gender gap report 2022 which projected that gender parity may not be achieved for a further 132 years. He highlighted that this staggering statistics should be a grave concern to all well meaning people all over the world. As the issue of the respect for the rights of women is imperative to the progress, development and prosperity of any nation.
The ES emphasized the need to remember and honour the sacrifice of the 15,000 women who marched in New York City in 1908, advocating for better working conditions and the right to vote of women. Their legacy inspires our urgent call for change today, he stated.
The Scribe of the NHRC recounted that despite ongoing efforts by the Nigerian government and other stakeholders to promote laws and policies that support women’s rights and inclusion, a significant gap remains between policy and implementation. This he said, has hindered Nigeria’s journey toward gender equality, with a noticeable decline in women’s political representation and governance after each election cycle. As a result, women continue to be excluded from key decision-making positions, impacting their welfare and well-being. Noting that the 35% affirmative action, once seen as a potential solution, is increasingly becoming a distant goal for Nigerian women.
However, he commended the some initiatives of the current government aimed at addressing some of the challenges women face such as the “Trader Money,” which he said has helped elevate businesses owned by market women across the country, providing them with a much-needed boost. Ojukwu also hailed Kwara State government for making significant strides in promoting women’s rights by appointing a considerable number of women to decision-making positions, strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
On the efforts of the Commission towards women empowerment, the ES stressed that the NHRC has taken series of steps including
supporting several Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) panels across states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in working to hold perpetrators accountable. Alongside its regular complaint treatment processes, the Commission has also promoted awareness through various gender-related initiatives, including airing “The Silent Prejudice” on national television to challenge harmful practices like the Osu caste system. Additionally, the Commission runs annual 16 Days of Activism against SGBV and organizes press conferences to advocate for gender mainstreaming.
The NHRC also urged policymakers to push for stronger advocacy and the domestication of the Maputo Protocol, which aims to create a more equitable society for women. The Commission also stressed the need to amplify women’s voices and protect their rights, urging all Nigerians to dismantle the barriers that hinder progress.
In its good will message, the National Council of Women Society’s (NCWS) representative said that the theme of this year’s celebration is timely. Adding that, though they are doing something, but we need to do more. We are working for the empowerment of women. She called for more energy in empowering women economically. Every other thing we are doing, let us add women empowerment.
Similarly, the representative of Nigerian Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) in her goodwill message, expressed solidarity with the theme of this year’s Women’s Day
She asked for more empowerment for women and ending violence ahainst women.
