1
Ms. Beatrice Eyong, UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS,
has called for increased women’s representation in the Parliament, saying that women’s representation in parliament remains 3.9percent, which is one of the lowest in the world.
Eyong, who stated this in Abuja, at a media parley to commemorate 2026 International Women’s Day, said this ugly situation has severely limited inclusive decision-making and national progress.
She pointed out that gender equality is fundamentally a matter of power, and in Nigeria, that power gap remains stark.
In response to these challenges, she revealed that UN Women is leading advocacy for the passage of the Special Seats for Women Bill, working across sectors to secure constitutional reforms that guarantee women a meaningful place at the decision-making table.
Other activities of UN Women in Nigeria, according to Eyong, include the support to Federal Ministry of Women Affairs to expand and strengthen the National Sexual Offender Database, an essential tool for accountability that prevents perpetrators from moving across states undetected.
She said UN Women is working closely with traditional and religious leaders to challenge and dismantle harmful norms that sustain impunity, advancing the Secretary-General’s call for zero tolerance and zero excuses for violence against women.
“To ensure these changes are sustainable, UN Women is working with the Ministry of Women Affairs to institutionalise Gender-Responsive Budgeting at the Federal and State levels.
“This ensures that budgets intentionally prioritise maternal health, girl-child education, the care economy, women’s safety, and economic empowerment initiatives.
“Beyond policy, we are expanding partnerships with the financial and private sectors to unlock new funding streams for women-led businesses and community-based solutions.
“We are also strengthening women’s participation in peace and security processes through Nigeria’s Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.”
The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, therefore, urged media to use its powerful platform to shape narratives that advance women’s rights, expose injustices, and hold institutions accountable.
She said: “The media has a critical role in amplifying survivors’ voices, promoting women’s leadership, and ensuring the national conversation keeps women and girls at the center of public action.
“By telling the full story—accurately, responsibly, and consistently. The media can help turn Rights, Justice, and Action into lived realities for every woman and girl in Nigeria.”
She also called on government, civil society organisations, the private sector, traditional and religious leaders, and development partners to accelerate reforms and investments that dismantle gender barriers at all levels.
She acknowledged that Nigeria does not lack policies; adding that the challenge is financing, enforcing, and sustaining them.
She therefore, tasked stakeholders to move from commitments to implementation, and from plans to meaningful impact, adding that “When we secure justice and rights for women, we secure Nigeria’s stability, prosperity, and future.”
Commenting on the theme for this year’s commemoration, which is “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” she asserted that “gender inequality remains the greatest human rights challenge of our time, but also one of the most powerful drivers of sustainable development and peace when addressed.”
She said: “As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme Rights. Justice. Action., UN Women Nigeria joins the global call by the UN Secretary-General to confront the reality that gender inequality remains the greatest human rights challenge of our time, but also one of the most powerful drivers of sustainable development and peace when addressed.
“However, we must recognise that rights mean little without justice.
“Justice must be lived and felt in women’s safety and freedom from fear.
“Currently, Nigeria continues to face alarmingly high levels of gender-based violence, and too many survivors still struggle to access justice.
“Justice must reach survivors in the courts, in their communities, and increasingly, in digital spaces where technology-facilitated abuse is growing at a frightening pace.”
Eyong reaffirmed the resolve of the UN Women in addressing socio-economic and cultural barriers militating against women and girls in Nigeria.
In her remarks, the Acting Deputy Representative of UN Women Nigeria, Patience Ekeoba , explained that the
event was organised to sustain momentum for behavioural change and women’s empowerment, noting that social norms shift when people see others taking action.
She acknowledged that progress made in Nigeria, noting the growing number of organisations commemorating International Women’s Day and the increasing public interest in gender equality issues.
The President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, (NILOV), Irene Awunah, discussed ongoing advocacy for women’s political inclusion, particularly the Special Seats Bill.
Awunah said the advocacy desk established in 2025 had secured over 200 signatures and endorsements, enabling direct engagement with legislators to clarify the bill and address misconceptions.
She added that Youth in Parliament, a bloc of over 38 lawmakers, has been inaugurated as champions to engage their colleagues and encourage support for women’s representation.
