Ahead of International Women’s Day 2025, UN Women commended Nigeria’s efforts in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action, emphasizing women’s political participation, economic empowerment, and combatting gender-based violence. Various stakeholders, including the UK Parliament, supported initiatives like proposed special parliamentary seats for women. The United Bank for Africa plans multiple programs throughout March to celebrate women’s contributions and enhance financial inclusion, reflecting a unified call for sustained gender equality efforts.
In anticipation of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, UN Women praised Nigeria for its strides in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action, especially regarding women’s political representation, economic empowerment, education, and combating gender-based violence. This acknowledgment was made by UN Women Country Representative Ms. Beatrice Eyong at a high-level consultation focused on the Beijing+30 Report Review, ahead of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).
The United Kingdom’s Commonwealth Parliament Association has expressed support for a bill advocating special parliamentary seats for women at the national and state levels, aligning with an ongoing constitutional revision process in Nigeria. Meanwhile, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc announced various initiatives throughout March to promote female empowerment and gender equality across Africa in celebration of International Women’s Day.
At a conference in Abuja, community leaders strategized on improving the representation of vulnerable groups, focusing on women, children, and persons with disabilities in national matters. Advocacy group Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development urged increased female participation in politics, highlighting the underrepresentation despite women’s significant population percentage.
Ms. Eyong affirmed that while progress is evident, challenges remain, necessitating collective action to drive further change. “This consultation is crucial in ensuring Nigeria’s national report for CSW69 is comprehensive and reflective of diverse viewpoints,” she stated. The meeting aimed to fortify Nigeria’s commitments to gender equality as outlined in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized the importance of recognizing Nigeria’s achievements since the Beijing Platform was established thirty years ago. The consultation provided an opportunity to appraise Nigeria’s growth in overcoming challenges to women’s economic empowerment and gender equality.
During a visit to the President of the Senate, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, UK Parliament members backed the bill for special seats for women, emphasizing its significance for promoting inclusiveness in governance. The proposed amendments to the Constitution aim to create designated parliamentary positions to enhance women’s representation in government.
Responding to the delegation’s request, Senate President Akpabio acknowledged the importance of inclusive governance and committed to considering the proposed legislation. The UBA’s initiatives for Women’s Day 2025 include webinars, live events, trivia challenges, and care kit distributions aimed at promoting women’s economic participation and financial literacy across the continent.
Additionally, Mr. Nelson Akerele from the Balm in Gilead Foundation called for increased female involvement in policymaking, while a representative from IPAC urged women to actively compete in political party arenas. As highlighted by Mrs. Sulaiman-Ibrahim, continued evaluation of governance structures is essential to guarantee substantial outcomes in gender equality and women’s empowerment efforts across Nigeria.
In summary, Nigeria’s progress in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action is commendable, yet challenges persist in realizing gender equality. With support from various stakeholders and institutions, such as UN Women and UBA, there is a concerted effort toward enhancing women’s political participation and empowerment during this pivotal period leading up to International Women’s Day. The call for legislative changes and increased representation for women remains crucial. Continuing commitment to these initiatives will sustain momentum towards achieving gender parity and ensuring that women’s voices are heard in policymaking processes.
Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com
