International Women's Day

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The International Women’s Day was born out of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since then, the day has grown in prominence and reach. The growing movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations (UN) women’s conferences, has helped make its commemoration a rallying point for action to build support for women’s rights and their full participation in political, economic and social spheres of the society.

Today, women from all walks of life are also recognized and celebrated for their resilience, courage, and contributions to their societies. In recent years, there has been significant progress in advancing women’s rights and opportunities across various domains, including education, politics, and the workforce.

However, pervasive gender disparities persist, hindering the full realization of women’s potential and impeding global development efforts. From unequal access to education and healthcare to limited economic opportunities and political representation, women continue to face systemic barriers that undermine their rights and dignity. Hence, this day equally sparks important conversations and mobilizes efforts towards creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all.

According to UN Women, there is an alarming 360 billion dollars annual deficit in gender equality measurable by 2030, and with the world facing many crises ranging from geopolitical conflicts to soaring poverty levels and an escalating impact on climate, of which Nigeria is not exempt. UN Women is of the view that these challenges can be surmounted when women are fully empowered.

The theme for the 2024 International Women’s Day, “Count Her In: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress,” encapsulates a call to action aimed at fostering greater inclusion and empowerment for women worldwide. It underscores the need to recognise and include women in decision-making processes, policy formulation, and resource allocation.

Too often, women’s voices are marginalized or ignored, resulting in policies and programmes that fail to address their unique needs and concerns. By ensuring women’s meaningful participation and representation in all aspects of society, we can foster more inclusive and equitable outcomes that benefit everyone.

Moreover, the theme emphasises the transformative power of supporting women’s education, health, economic empowerment, and leadership. Consistently, studies show that when women are empowered and given the necessary resources and support, they drive positive change within their families, communities, and economies.

Investing in women not only enhances their well-being and opportunities but also yields broader social and economic dividends, contributing to poverty reduction, sustainable development, and peacebuilding efforts. By accelerating progress towards gender equality, we can unlock the full potential of half of the world’s population and create a more just, prosperous, and sustainable future for all.

However, achieving this vision requires concerted action and commitment from governments, civil society, the private sector, and individuals alike. It entails dismantling discriminatory laws and practices, promoting women’s rights and leadership, investing in gender-responsive policies and programmes, and challenging harmful gender norms and stereotypes.

The 2024 budget indicates that less than one percent (N12.59 billion) of the total N27.5 trillion budget is designated for Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) programmes. This represents a significant decrease compared to the N78 billion allocated in 2023, marking the lowest budget for WEE since 2019.

Thus, it is imperative that the federal government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs, coordinate efforts with state authorities to sustain empowerment programmes tailored for women, particularly those residing in rural areas who often face significant challenges to enhance their livelihoods and bolster their contribution to nation-building.

Furthermore, expediting the implementation of proposed mobile courts is essential to swiftly addressing various forms of gender-based violence. Additionally, it is crucial for the National Assembly to reconsider the five gender bills that were previously rejected. These bills encompass vital provisions, including the allocation of special seats for women in the National Assembly, a 35% affirmative action for women within political party administration, granting citizenship to foreign-born husbands of Nigerian women, granting indigent married women the right to choose their state of origin, and mandating a 10% affirmative action for women in ministerial appointments.

It is also pertinent for the federal government to prioritise gender-responsive budgeting and increase public spending on essential services and social protection. The National Orientation Agency must raise awareness about the potential of women and speak out against the ills of discrimination, practices or laws that undermine them.

Writing by Hadiza Abdulrahman; editing by Annabel Nwachukwu

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