As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark International Women’s Day 2026, ActionAid Nigeria has called for urgent political and institutional reforms to end the persistent marginalisation of women, warning that gender inequality continues to undermine democratic governance and social justice in the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja at the weekend, the organisation said the continued underrepresentation of women in governance and the widespread prevalence of gender-based violence highlight a deep structural imbalance that requires immediate government intervention.
The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, said the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” must translate into real policy actions rather than ceremonial commitments.
He noted that despite the existence of several legal and policy frameworks aimed at protecting women’s rights, millions of Nigerian women still face violence, discrimination and exclusion from decision-making spaces.
Citing figures from the National Bureau of Statistics Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the organisation revealed that about 30 per cent of Nigerian women aged between 15 and 49 — an estimated 35.65 million people — have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
Additionally, around nine per cent of women, representing more than 10 million individuals, have suffered sexual violence.
ActionAid also raised concerns about Nigeria’s poor record in women’s political representation.
According to data referenced from the World Bank, women currently occupy less than four per cent of seats in Nigeria’s National Assembly, with only 20 female lawmakers out of the 469-member legislature.
The organisation further observed that while states such as Anambra and Lagos have made modest progress in promoting women’s participation in governance, at least 15 states — including Kano and Sokoto — currently have no women serving in their state assemblies.
The group also highlighted the education gap affecting girls, citing UNICEF data showing that Nigeria remains among countries with the highest number of out-of-school children globally, with girls disproportionately affected, particularly in northern communities.
According to ActionAid, the statistics reflect the real-life struggles faced by millions of girls forced to abandon education due to poverty and harmful cultural practices, as well as survivors of sexual and gender-based violence who often encounter stigma and weak justice systems.
While acknowledging the contributions of civil society organisations and development partners in advancing women’s empowerment programmes, the organisation said systemic obstacles within governance structures continue to slow meaningful progress.
ActionAid Nigeria noted that between 2019 and 2024, it implemented one of the country’s largest women’s rights programmes, supporting more than one million women through economic empowerment initiatives, political participation platforms and gender-based violence prevention programmes.
However, the organisation stressed that structural reforms remain critical, particularly the Special Seats Bill, which seeks to reserve 74 legislative seats for women as a temporary measure to address the severe gender imbalance in Nigeria’s political institutions.
It described the bill as a transformative reform capable of significantly improving women’s political participation and strengthening inclusive governance.
ActionAid therefore urged federal and state governments to prioritise gender-responsive public investments, improve access to healthcare and education for women and girls, and strengthen justice mechanisms to ensure timely responses to cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
The organisation also called on Nigeria’s First Lady to champion the passage of the Special Seats Bill as a landmark initiative that could reshape the country’s democratic landscape and expand opportunities for women in leadership.
It further appealed to international development partners to increase funding for women-led organisations and protect civic spaces where women’s rights advocates operate.
ActionAid Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to working with stakeholders across the country to build a society where women and girls can live free from violence, exercise their rights fully and participate meaningfully in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
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