Commemorating the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 on Sunday, notable organizations and individuals are celebrating women and calling for increased attention for female across the globe.
While some are calling for more protections and inclusive policies for women, others specifically want investments in women to be increased.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Chairman NUJ FCT, Grace Ike, noted that investing in women through education, mentorship, opportunity, and resources, is strengthening families, communities, institutions, and nations.
The NUJ FCT Chairman urged Governments, institutions, media organisations, and communities to work together to dismantle barriers that hinder women’s progress.
According to her, when women are empowered, the benefits ripple far beyond the individual.
She said "Today, as the world marks International Women’s Day, I join millions across the globe in celebrating the strength, resilience, brilliance, and boundless potential of women. The 2026 theme, “Give To Gain,” is a powerful reminder that when we intentionally invest in women, through education, mentorship, opportunity, and resources, we are not merely supporting individuals; we are strengthening families, communities, institutions, and nations.
"For me, this year’s celebration carries a deeply personal meaning. As the first female Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, I stand on the shoulders of many courageous women who broke barriers, challenged stereotypes, and refused to accept limitations placed on their dreams.
"My journey is a testament to what becomes possible when society chooses to give women the opportunity to lead, contribute, and excel. The theme “Give To Gain” perfectly captures this reality."
Stressing that newsrooms become more inclusive, storytelling becomes richer, governance becomes more responsive, and societies become more just, she pointed out that in journalism especially, women have continued to prove their resilience, professionalism, and commitment to truth and public service.
"Across Nigeria, female journalists are breaking new ground, covering difficult beats, shaping public discourse, mentoring younger colleagues, and demonstrating that excellence knows no gender.
"However, our celebration must go beyond recognition; it must translate into action. We must deliberately mentor young female journalists, create safe and supportive workplaces, provide leadership opportunities, and ensure that women’s voices are heard in decision-making spaces. These are the investments that will yield the greatest returns for the profession and for society.
"The United Nations call this year, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls”, is a timely reminder that the pursuit of equality must remain a collective responsibility.
"On this special day, I celebrate the extraordinary women within the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the FCT media community, and across our nation. Your courage, intellect, and dedication continue to inspire a new generation of women who are watching and learning that leadership is possible.
"Let us therefore recommit ourselves to giving more opportunities, more support, more mentorship, and more recognition to women, because when women rise, journalism rises, our communities thrive, and our nation grows stronger." she stated
On its part, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) called on the Federal Government and state authorities to adopt stronger protections and more inclusive policies for Nigerian women.
In a statement issued by Robert Egbe, Media & Communications Officer, CAPPA, the organisation said this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” reflects the reality that women in Nigeria continue to shoulder a significant share of the labour that sustains families, communities, and the wider economy.
CAPPA noted that across the country, women manage household resources, provide care for children and relatives, and often carry the responsibility of keeping families afloat in difficult economic conditions.
Despite this central role, the organisation said many women and girls still lack access to the basic services and protections necessary for a dignified life.
The group pointed out that millions of Nigerian women struggle to access safe water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and other essential services.
CAPPA also raised concern about the persistence of gender-based violence. Citing the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, the organisation said about 31 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, while about 9 percent have faced sexual violence at some point in their lives. It added that more than 10,326 cases of gender-based violence were reported between January and September 2025.
At the same time, the organisation noted the growing concern around femicide in Nigeria, which has prompted advocates and civil society groups to repeatedly call on authorities to treat the killing of women as a national emergency and to strengthen both prevention and accountability measures.
Economic inequality further compounds the challenges faced by women, according to the group.
CAPPA stated that data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicated that women are more likely to work in low-income or informal sectors, where job security and social protection are limited.
It added that women farmers, traders, and small business owners in various communities struggle to access credit, land, and other resources needed to grow their livelihoods, while rising living costs place additional pressure on women responsible for managing household welfare.
Highlighting the low level of women’s representation in political decision-making, the organization stated that women currently occupy about 3.9 percent of legislative seats in Nigeria, one of the lowest rates globally.
It said out of 469 members of the National Assembly, only 19 are women, including 15 in the House of Representatives and four in the Senate.
According to CAPPA, Nigeria ranks 180 out of 185 countries in the Inter-Parliamentary Union global ranking for women’s parliamentary representation and remains the lowest-ranked country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The organisation added that even the few women who have broken through into political leadership still face sexism, exclusion, and the undermining of their contributions or positions as equals in male-dominated political environments.
“These realities expose a clear contradiction,” the statement said.
“Nigerian women give so much to sustain society, yet many continue to live within systems that fail to guarantee their safety, health, political participation, and economic security.”
CAPPA said this year’s IWD theme, Give to Gain, should be understood as a demand for accountability, arguing that governments at all levels must recognise the contributions of women by creating conditions that allow them to live and lead with dignity.
The organisation called for stronger investment in public services such as water, healthcare, sanitation, and education, as well as stronger laws and enforcement mechanisms to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
It also stressed the need to protect civic space so that women leaders, organisers, and advocates can carry out their work without fear of intimidation or repression.
CAPPA further urged policymakers to address the unequal burden of unpaid care work through measures such as affordable childcare, paid family leave, and infrastructure improvements that reduce time poverty for women.
It also called for gender responsive budgeting, improved access to credit for women entrepreneurs, and policies aimed at closing the gender pay gap.
On political participation, the organisation said legislative reforms such as the proposed Special Seats for Women Bill could help increase women’s representation and ensure that women’s voices play a stronger role in shaping national policies.
It therefore called for the swift passage of the bill.
CAPPA reaffirmed its commitment to working with women across Nigeria who are organising around critical issues.
According to the organisation, women’s leadership across communities continues to demonstrate that when women organise, societies move closer to justice.
“As we reflect on the theme “Give to Gain”, true progress for Nigeria lies in recognising and reciprocating the contributions of its women,” the organisation said. “Investing in women’s rights remains fundamental to building a just and sustainable future for all Nigerians.”
Also celebrating women on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nigeria, in a statement by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson, saluted the Nigerian women.
"On this auspicious occasion of International Women's Day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is pleased to join the global community in commemorating International Women's Day 2026 to celebrate Nigerian Women.
"This year's theme, "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls", as highlighted by the United Nations and UN Women, serves as a powerful call to action. It underscores the urgent need to dismantle persistent barriers, discriminatory laws, inadequate legal protections, harmful social norms, and systemic inequalities that continue to limit the full realization of rights for women and girls worldwide."
In Nigeria, the statement noted, that women and girls constitute nearly half of the population and play indispensable roles as drivers of economic growth, social cohesion, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
"From the farms and markets in Sabagreia to Azare, Katsina-Ala to Okitipupa, Egini to Godowoli and Okposi to Kaura Namoda, to boardrooms, diplomatic corridors, and homes, Nigerian women demonstrate remarkable resilience, innovation, and leadership.
"The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remains steadfast in its commitment to gender equality, women's empowerment, and the protection of their rights as enshrined in national policies and regional instruments such as the Maputo Protocol, the African Union's Agenda 2063 and international frameworks including the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly Goal 5) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
"The Government of Nigeria remains steadfast. We continue to advocate for increased women's representation in decision-making, the elimination of gender-based violence, economic inclusion, and equal access to justice and opportunities, principles that underpin our foreign policy.
"We reaffirm Nigeria's dedication to advancing women's rights through concrete actions: strengthening legal frameworks against gender-based violence, promoting equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and political participation, and ensuring justice systems are responsive and inclusive.
In our foreign policy anchored on the 4Ds (Demography, Democracy, Development and Diaspora), Nigeria continues to champion these principles on the global stage, advocating for multilateral cooperation to address the root causes of inequality and to support women in conflict-affected and vulnerable settings.
"Therefore, as we commemorate 2026 International Women's Day, the Ministry celebrate the achievements of Nigerian women and girls at home and in the diaspora, while renewing our resolve to translate commitments into tangible progress.
"Let us all, government institutions, civil society, private sector partners, and the international community unite in urgent, collective action to ensure that every woman and girl enjoys her full rights, receives justice without discrimination, and thrives in dignity and equality." it stated