As the world observes International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, gender advocates firmly demand immediate actions to bridge gender gaps and enforce equality.
This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action,” underscores the urgent need for increased participation, empowerment, and inclusion across all sectors, regardless of gender. Despite ongoing efforts, we cannot ignore that progress is alarmingly slow. According to the World Economic Forum, full gender equality is still more than a century away if current trends persist.
Women are still subjected to gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, and limited access to leadership positions. While some strides have been made in advocacy, it is clear that significant legislative and systemic barriers are obstructing the path to achieving genuine gender equality.
Halima Oiza Sodiq, Executive Director of the Chachavivi Women and Girl Child Development Foundation, asserts that achieving gender equality demands comprehensive policy and legislative reforms.
“Accelerate action means we must intensify our efforts for participation and empowerment for all, irrespective of gender or physical appearance. Decision-making spaces must reflect this inclusivity. However, when we examine the glaring gender imbalance in our House of Representatives and Senate, we must confront the reality: are we genuinely progressing? This is not just a question—it is a call to action,” she stated emphatically.
Sodiq insists on immediate implementation of the long-overdue 35% affirmative action and stresses the necessity of education and grassroots mobilization to equip individuals with the critical knowledge of gender equality.
“We must engage boys in meaningful gender discussions and hold them accountable for their actions. It is imperative that we establish comprehensive monitoring and evaluation systems to measure our progress. It is time to dismantle deep-seated gender stereotypes, patriarchy, misogyny, and marginalization to create a truly inclusive environment,” she declared.
Joy Oluwaseun Akinola, Gender Desk Officer at the Kogi State Ministry of Justice, made it clear that gender-responsive budgeting and robust enforcement of existing laws are non-negotiable.
“Despite having progressive laws like the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act and the Child Rights Act, enforcement remains utterly inadequate. We need institutional reforms, specialized courts for gender-based violence cases, and secure spaces for survivors. The government must act decisively, translating policy into tangible outcomes by allocating vital resources to address these pressing issues directly,” she emphasized.
Akinola also pointed out that systemic barriers, not merely legal restrictions, present the greatest challenges to achieving gender equality in Nigeria.
“Our society remains entrenched in patriarchal norms, severely limiting women’s access to leadership roles. Women in politics face formidable obstacles due to an invisible gender wall. Moreover, the lack of comprehensive gender data in Nigeria obstructs our ability to address and tackle these challenges effectively,” she added.
Richard Imhoagene, Founder and Creative Lead of ROCA Media, underscored the critical importance of engaging men and boys in the fight for gender equality.
“Gender equality is not a competition or a struggle for dominance; it is fundamentally about fairness. Men in positions of power—be it in government, business, or traditional leadership—must recognize that women deserve the same opportunities afforded to their own daughters, sisters, and mothers. If we start viewing women through this lens, real change will happen swiftly,” he asserted.
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, advocates stress that true progress hinges on concrete policy implementation, intensified advocacy, and robust community engagement. The call for radical gender and social inclusion reforms, improved electoral laws, and aggressive public awareness campaigns is louder than ever.
“The government must not only pass policies but rigorously enforce them. We require substantial resources dedicated to women’s health, education, and rights. If we genuinely seek change, we must back our intentions with substantial funding,” Akinola concluded.
As the global push for gender equality gains momentum, stakeholders emphasize that closing gender gaps demands collective responsibility from governments, businesses, and individuals alike. It is time to act decisively and ensure that gender equality is a reality, not just an aspiration.
