CHRICED Advocates for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women on International Women’s Day

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, CHRICED expresses solidarity with the global movement advocating for a society that respects and advances women’s rights. With the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” we stress the significance of empowering women to engage fully in all spheres of life, acknowledging their vital role in shaping the nation’s future and promoting enduring peace and prosperity in inclusive communities.

Despite extensive international efforts to promote gender equality, Nigeria grapples with persistent obstacles that hinder women’s access to inclusion, empowerment, and opportunities for engagement. In Northern Nigeria, challenges such as insecurity, poverty, cultural traditions, inadequate infrastructure, and technological disparities continue to obstruct educational advancement, particularly for girls. Consequently, a critical issue arises in ensuring that girls who are fortunate enough to attend school can successfully complete their education. In the southern region, the prevalence of child labor among girls, coupled with domestic violence, sexual assaults, ritual killings, and gender disparities, remains a pressing concern.

Gender-based violence poses a grave threat, with statistics indicating that one in three women in Nigeria has encountered domestic abuse, sexual violence, forced marriages, verbal harassment, and other forms of GBV. Alarmingly, fewer than 40% of victims seek assistance, and the existing support services are inadequate to meet the demand. CHRICED underscores the urgent necessity for comprehensive policies and laws to effectively combat gender-based violence.

Furthermore, the inadequate representation of women in positions of authority poses a significant challenge. Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration pledge to achieve a minimum of 35% female representation in the federal cabinet, the current reality falls short, with only 18.7% of cabinet members being women. This disparity underscores the evident gap in implementing the requisite measures to attain gender equality and equity.

Disparities in accessing reproductive and maternal healthcare services play a significant role in the distressingly high rates of infant and maternal mortality in Nigeria. UNICEF reports that Nigeria accounts for 10% of global deaths among pregnant women, ranking it as the second-highest country in terms of maternal and child deaths worldwide. Shockingly, 95% of these deaths could have been prevented.

It is crucial that we promptly address these critical issues in order to align with the global sustainable development goals set for 2030. Creating a supportive environment that promotes the inclusion and advancement of women is essential for fostering a society where women can contribute significantly to the overall peace and development of the nation.

Therefore, on this International Women’s Day, CHRICED calls upon all stakeholders, policymakers, and citizens to unite in accelerating progress towards achieving gender equality, empowering women, and promoting their economic advancement in Nigeria.