IWD: CAPPA urges stronger protections, inclusive policies for women

2026-03-09 - 00:26

By Chioma Obinna The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa on Sunday called on the Federal Government and state authorities to strengthen protections for women and adopt more inclusive policies as the world commemorates International Women’s Day 2026. In a press statement, the civil society organisation said this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” underscores the enormous contributions women make to families, communities, and the national economy, often without adequate support or recognition. According to CAPPA, Nigerian women continue to shoulder a significant share of the labour that sustains households and communities, from managing family resources to providing care for children and relatives, particularly amid rising economic pressures. “Across the country, women keep families afloat despite difficult economic conditions, yet many still lack access to basic services and protections necessary for a dignified life,” the organisation said. The group noted that millions of women and girls in Nigeria still struggle to access safe water, sanitation, healthcare, and quality education, conditions it said undermine their well-being and limit opportunities for social and economic advancement. CAPPA also raised concern about the prevalence of gender-based violence in the country. Citing data from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, the organisation said about 31 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while roughly 9 percent have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives. It further disclosed that more than 10,326 cases of gender-based violence were reported between January and September 2025, describing the trend as alarming and a call for urgent action by authorities. “Women continue to give so much to sustain society, yet many remain trapped in systems that fail to guarantee their safety, health, political participation, and economic security,” the organisation stated. CAPPA also expressed concern over the rising incidents of femicide, noting that civil society groups and advocates have repeatedly urged authorities to treat the killing of women as a national emergency and strengthen prevention and accountability mechanisms. Beyond safety concerns, the organisation said economic inequality remains a major challenge for women. It cited data from the National Bureau of Statistics, which show that women are more likely to work in low-income or informal sectors where job security and social protection are limited. According to CAPPA, women farmers, traders, and small-scale entrepreneurs across the country face difficulties accessing credit, land, and other resources needed to grow their businesses, while rising living costs continue to increase the burden on women responsible for managing household welfare. The group also highlighted the low representation of women in political decision-making in Nigeria. It noted that women currently occupy about 3.9 percent of legislative seats in the country. Out of 469 members of the National Assembly, only 19 are women, including 15 in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate, a figure CAPPA described as one of the lowest rates globally. According to the organisation, Nigeria currently ranks 180 out of 185 countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union ranking for women’s parliamentary representation, making it the lowest-ranked country in Sub-Saharan Africa. “Even the few women who have broken through into political leadership still face sexism, exclusion, and attempts to undermine their contributions in male-dominated political spaces,” the statement said. CAPPA said the theme “Give to Gain” should serve as a call for accountability, urging governments at all levels to recognise women’s contributions by creating conditions that allow them to live and lead with dignity. The organisation called for increased investment in public services such as water, healthcare, sanitation, and education, alongside stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. It also emphasised the need to protect civic space to enable women leaders, organisers, and advocates to carry out their work without intimidation or repression. CAPPA further urged policymakers to address the unequal burden of unpaid care work through policies such as affordable childcare, paid family leave, and infrastructure improvements that reduce the time women spend on domestic responsibilities. In addition, the organisation advocated gender-responsive budgeting, improved access to credit for women entrepreneurs, and measures aimed at closing the gender pay gap. On political participation, CAPPA said legislative reforms such as the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill could help increase women’s representation and ensure that women play a stronger role in shaping national policies. The group therefore called for the swift passage of the bill. “As we reflect on the theme ‘Give to Gain,’ true progress for Nigeria lies in recognising and reciprocating the contributions of its women,” CAPPA said. “Investing in women’s rights remains fundamental to building a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians.”