As the world celebrates the 2024 International Women’s Day, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA Nigeria, insists that “a world that is equitable and inclusive is possible where our unique differences are valued and celebrated.”
FIDA in a statement signed by its Country Vice President/National President, Amina Suzanah Agbaje, (Mrs.) notes that: “Together we can accelerate progress for society when we choose to invest in women, advance equality and inspire inclusion for all!”
Likewise, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) in a statement signed by its Co-Founder, Dr. Abiola Akiyode –Afolabi raised a number of concerns.
“In Nigeria’s Senate, there are only 4 women out of 109 senators. In the House of Representatives, the situation is as dire- there are 14 women of 360 representatives. The situation is glaring: there is very poor inclusion of women in politics and governance. At State Assemblies, women have only 4.7% of seats overall/ 15 states in Nigeria do not have any woman in parliament. In the 2023 Women, Peace and Security (WPS) report, Nigeria ranked 162 out of 177 countries. This means that Nigeria is the 16th worst country to live in as a woman. The index also showed that Nigeria is one of the 5 countries with the worst Political Violence Targeting Women.
“Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress” is the theme for International Women’s Day 2024. Today, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) celebrates all Nigerian girls, adolescents and women who, in the face of daunting obstacles, continue to brave up and show up in business, governance and politics, sports, education, leadership and much more. International Women’s Day affords us another opportunity to X-ray the huge gender gap in Nigeria. For a country where women make up almost 50% of the population, there is an unfortunate imbalance in access to opportunities for women.
“Despite the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2015), Sexual and Gender based Violence has been on the increase in Nigeria, especially since the COVID-19 lockdown. The statistics on Gender – based Violence, which include physical, mental, economic abuse is startling. Nigeria has approximately 20 million survivors, representing 10% of survivors worldwide. Nigeria also has the 3rd highest incidence of Female Genital Mutilation worldwide. There is an urgent need to drop these numbers.
“A few days ago, gunmen abducted about 200 women and girls from Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Gamboru Ngala near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon and Chad. We condemned the inability of the government to protect citizens of Nigeria. With continued conflict in Nigeria, women and girls remain at the brunt of the crisis. Women and girls are violated and turned to sex slaved by bandits.
“We call on the government to immediately rise up to the occasion and end the long-standing conflicts in Nigeria. Women in and out of IDP camps must be protected from all forms of violations and inhumane treatments.
“On this International Women Day, we call on governments at all levels to uphold the constitution and protect the lives of Nigerian women. We call on the National Assembly to revisit the five gender bills to enshrine the rights of women and improve women’s representation in politics and governance. We call on state governors to put their monies where their mouths are. 34 states have now domesticated the VAPP Act. It is crucial to now provide budgets that cater for the inclusion of women and to implement the VAPP Act.”
On its part, FIDA in its statement said:
In spite of the campaign theme for the 2024 International Women’s Day being ‘Inspire Inclusion’, FIDA Nigeria is deeply disheartened by the non-inclusion and discrimination of women in critical spheres. This exclusion is not only a setback; it is a stain on the fabric of our collective conscience, hindering progress and perpetuating systemic injustice.
In Nigeria with the spate of violent extremism and acts of terrorism further escalating humanitarian crises in emergency context, women and children are highly vulnerable and exposed, suffering the brunt of the crises. This is because in every conflict setting, gender-based violence increases while insecurity is exacerbated and this sorry state of affairs compounds the existing inequalities that women already face on a daily basis.
It is premised on the above and in commemoration of this globally important day that FIDA Nigeria highlights the urgent need for collective action to drive gender parity and address the following areas as spotlighted by the United Nations where women are grossly neglected and largely overlooked
Investment in women as a human rights issue: Women’s rights are human rights, yet women are consistently denied access to essential resources, opportunities, and decision-making spaces. This systemic neglect robs women of their dignity and perpetuates a cycle of inequality and injustice.
Prioritize education for women: Females are hugely disenfranchised with respect to educational opportunities and access to same by barriers such as early or forced marriages, poverty, gender based violence, cultural norms, amongst several other factors thereby contributing to the huge gender gap in education.
End poverty: Women, especially those from marginalized communities, bear the brunt of poverty’s harsh realities. The lack of economic empowerment and access to basic necessities relegates countless women to lives of desperation and destitution.
Implement gender-responsive financing and budgeting: Financial systems are rife with gender biases and discriminatory practices and policies, denying women fair access to capital and resources. Gender- responsive financing is imperative to rectify this injustice and ensure women’s full participation in economic activities.
Shift to a green economy and care society: Women bear disproportionate burdens from environmental degradation. Yet, their voices are often ignored in discussions on sustainable development and climate action. It is time to recognize and empower women as key agents of change in building a sustainable future.
Support change drivers: Women activists and leaders courageously champion gender equality and social justice, often at great personal risk. Yet, they face rampant discrimination, violence, and harassment. It is incumbent upon society to stand in solidarity with these fearless trail blazing advocates and provide them with unwavering support and protection.
“FIDA Nigeria makes a concerted call upon the Federal Government, institutions, stakeholders, policy makers, civil society organizations and all individuals of goodwill to heed this urgent call to action. A world that is equitable and inclusive is possible, where our unique differences are valued and celebrated. Together we can accelerate progress for society when we choose to invest in women, advance equality and inspire inclusion for all!
Let us commit ourselves to dismantle all barriers that exclude and oppress women, and pave the way for a more just, equitable, egalitarian and inclusive society for all.
