As the world celebrated International Women’s Day, the Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality and ensuring women’s full participation in leadership and decision-making. In a statement titled “International Women’s Day: CHRICED Calls for Political Integration and Respect for Women”, CHRICED underscored the urgent need for political inclusion and a deeply entrenched culture of respect for women in all spheres of governance and society, in line with the Beijing Declaration on gender equality.

CHRICED strongly condemned all forms of discrimination and violence against women, particularly in professional and political spaces. It denounced workplace violence, sexual harassment, and coercive transactional practices, highlighting how such actions violate women’s rights and perpetuate a culture of fear and silence that hinders progress toward gender equity.

The organization also weighed in on recent allegations of sexual harassment in the Nigerian Senate, where Distinguished Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of misconduct. Commending Senator Natasha’s courage in speaking out despite the predominantly male political landscape, CHRICED emphasized that her bravery serves as a beacon of hope for women who face similar challenges in leadership roles.

To uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative body, CHRICED called for a transparent and independent investigation into the allegations. CHRICED urged Senator Akpabio to temporarily step down to allow due process to take its course, stressing that this step would not only protect the dignity of the Senate but also reinforce public trust in governance.

As part of its advocacy for gender justice, CHRICED continues to push for policy reforms and systemic safeguards to ensure women can lead, work, and thrive in environments free from discrimination and harassment.