The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government and state authorities to adopt stronger protections and more inclusive policies for Nigerian women as the world marks the 2026 edition of International Women’s Day (IWD).
In a statement issued on Sunday, March 8, 2026, the organisation said this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” reflects the reality that women in Nigeria continue to shoulder a significant share of the labour that sustains families, communities, and the wider economy.
CAPPA noted that across the country, women manage household resources, provide care for children and relatives, and often carry the responsibility of keeping families afloat in difficult economic conditions. Despite this central role, the organisation said many women and girls still lack access to the basic services and protections necessary for a dignified life. The group pointed out that millions of Nigerian women struggle to access safe water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and other essential services.
CAPPA also raised concern about the persistence of gender-based violence. Citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, the organisation said about 31 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while about 9 percent have faced sexual violence at some point in their lives. It added that more than 10,326 cases of gender-based violence were reported between January and September 2025.
At the same time, the organisation noted the growing concern around femicide in Nigeria, which has prompted advocates and civil society groups to repeatedly call on authorities to treat the killing of women as a national emergency and to strengthen both prevention and accountability measures.
Economic inequality further compounds the challenges faced by women, according to the group. CAPPA stated that data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that women are more likely to work in low-income or informal sectors, where job security and social protection are limited. It added that women farmers, traders, and small business owners in various communities struggle to access credit, land, and other resources needed to grow their livelihoods, while rising living costs place additional pressure on women responsible for managing household welfare.
The organisation also highlighted the low level of women’s representation in political decision-making. It stated that women currently occupy about 3.9 percent 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.
According to CAPPA, Nigeria ranks 180 out of 185 countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union global ranking for women’s parliamentary representation and remains the lowest-ranked country in Sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation added that even the few women who have broken through into political leadership still face sexism, exclusion, and the undermining of their contributions or positions as equals in male-dominated political environments.
“These realities expose a clear contradiction,” the statement said. “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 said this year’s IWD theme, Give to Gain, should be understood as a demand for accountability, arguing that governments at all levels must recognise 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, as well as stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. It also stressed the need to protect civic space so that women leaders, organisers, and advocates can carry out their work without fear of intimidation or repression.
CAPPA further urged policymakers to 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. It also called for gender responsive budgeting, improved access to credit for women entrepreneurs, and policies aimed at closing the gender pay gap.
On political participation, the organisation said legislative reforms such as the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill could help increase women’s representation and ensure that women’s voices play a stronger role in shaping national policies. It therefore called for the swift passage of the bill.
CAPPA reaffirmed its commitment to working with women across Nigeria who are organising around critical issues. According to the organisation, women’s leadership across communities continues to demonstrate that when women organise, societies move closer to justice.
“As we reflect on the theme “Give to Gain”, true progress for Nigeria lies in recognising and reciprocating the contributions of its women,” the organisation said. “Investing in women’s rights remains fundamental to building a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians.”