Action Needed for Nigerian Women on International Women’s Day

Last week, the global community gathered to observe International Women’s Day, celebrated annually on March 8 to recognize women's achievements worldwide. This day emphasizes their contributions to socioeconomic, cultural, and political realms while urging for swifter actions to bridge the gender gap. The theme for this year, 'Give to Gain,' delivers a profound yet straightforward message: empowering women is an invaluable investment for society. The adage 'when you educate a woman, you educate a society' holds more truth than ever in today's context.

In Nigeria, the occasion featured various speeches from political figures, celebrating women who have shattered ceilings in areas such as business, politics, and academia. These acknowledgments honor the determination and achievements of Nigerian women, who, despite facing structural barriers, continue to excel in entrepreneurship, education, leadership, and other domains.

Nevertheless, the exuberance and speeches ring hollow for millions of Nigerian women, particularly those residing in rural regions, where the reality is anything but celebratory. For these women, International Women’s Day is a distant reality overshadowed by their immediate survival challenges. Their worries extend beyond global themes; they revolve around fundamental issues such as safety, healthcare access, education, menstrual hygiene, and economic opportunities—all of which have remained out of reach despite long-standing promises.

Women, especially in rural Nigeria and numerous urban areas, are grappling with the impacts of insecurity, extreme poverty, and systemic neglect. Many are compelled to support their families amid widespread violence and displacement. Poverty rates escalate, maternal mortality rates are shockingly high, and maternal healthcare services are either insufficient or inaccessible.

Disturbing statistics reveal that inadequate healthcare infrastructure and entrenched poverty contribute to a significant maternal and infant mortality crisis, with Nigeria accounting for approximately 75,000 to 90,000 maternal deaths each year. These figures transcend mere statistics, representing the loss of mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives due to preventable health complications.

Additionally, period poverty represents a pervasive crisis. Millions of girls lack access to sanitary products, menstrual health education, and safe sanitation facilities. Consequently, many girls miss school during their menstrual cycles, negatively impacting their academic performance and, in some cases, leading to dropouts. The plight of Nigerian women is further compounded by gender-based violence, manifesting as domestic abuse and harmful cultural practices that rob women of their dignity and opportunities.

While the nation celebrates speeches from government officials marking International Women’s Day and the media disseminates inspiring images of women who have succeeded, it is essential to understand that commemorating the day with mere fanfare is inadequate if it does not prompt the necessary actions to liberate the millions of women oppressed by an unjust system.

What Nigerian women seek is effective action. For years, challenges confronting women have been misidentified as general social issues and subsumed under broader policy discussions, rather than being appreciated as standalone issues that necessitate deliberate and targeted interventions.

Daily Trust emphasizes the importance of effectively implementing well- structured policies addressing women's concerns and enhancing investments in women's health, education, and safety.

Expanding and fortifying reproductive and maternal healthcare is critical, along with ensuring rural healthcare facilities are equipped and staffed to serve historically overlooked communities. Laws enacted to combat gender-based violence must transition from mere words on paper to implemented and enforced statutes. Women and girls must possess the means for timely justice when their rights are infringed upon.

Moreover, education must be prioritized. No girl should have to choose between cultural norms and her right to education. Government, civil society organizations, and media outlets must collaborate to dismantle barriers hindering girls' access to schooling, while also recognizing that sanitary products and menstrual hygiene education are not luxuries but fundamental needs directly tied to reproductive health and educational achievement.

Economic empowerment initiatives must evolve from one-time grants to consistent efforts providing women with training, access to credit, and opportunities for full participation in the economy.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, 'Give to Gain,' embodies what Nigeria must strive towards. A nation that empowers women to grow, flourish, and assume leadership roles will undoubtedly reap the benefits of genuine national development.