Abuja, Nigeria, 8 March 2026 – On International Women’s Day 2026, the theme “Rights, Justice, and Action for All Women and Girls” calls for moving beyond promises to deliver real change for women and girls in Nigeria and around the world.

For Empowered to Empower Initiative (E2E), this year’s theme emphasises the urgent need to protect women’s rights, strengthen justice systems, and accelerate action that enables women and girls to fully participate in society and development.

Despite progress, Nigerian women and girls continue to face structural inequalities. Nigeria ranks 130th out of 166 countries on the global gender gap index, highlighting disparities in economic participation, education, health, and political representation. Women hold less than 5% of seats in the national parliament, and about 70% of those living in extreme poverty are women. Early marriage and gender-based violence remain widespread, with over 43% of girls aged 20–24 married before 18, while millions of women remain in low-paying, insecure jobs with limited access to finance and livelihoods.

“International Women’s Day (IWD) reminds us that commitments alone will not transform the lives of women and girls. What is needed now is bold action, policies, investments, and community initiatives that protect women’s rights, strengthen justice systems, and unlock the full potential of women and girls as drivers of sustainable development,” said the Executive Director of Empowered to Empower Initiative (E2E), Mrs. Joy Anih.

As a non-governmental organisation with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), E2E aligns with global efforts led by the United Nations to advance gender equality and support Sustainable Development Goal 5 on Gender Equality.

E2E highlights three priorities:

• Rights: Ensuring women and girls have equal access to education, economic opportunities, safety, and leadership spaces.

• Justice: Strengthening institutions, laws, and systems to uphold accountability and protect women’s dignity.

• Action: Translating commitments into tangible programmes and policies that empower women and address systemic barriers.

Through skills development, entrepreneurship support, and community-based initiatives, E2E empowers women, particularly in rural and underserved communities to build resilient livelihoods and break cycles of poverty.

On this International Women’s Day, E2E calls on governments, civil society, development partners, other non-governmental organisations, and the private sector to take decisive action so that rights, justice, and empowerment define progress for all women and girls.

___________________________________________________________________________

About Empowered to Empower Initiative (E2E)

Empowered to Empower Initiative (E2E) is a Nigerian non-profit organisation committed to psychologically and economically empowering rural women and vulnerable communities.Through advocacy, community development, and capacity-strengthening programmes, E2E supports women as catalysts for social and economic transformation and contributes to global development dialogue via its consultative engagement with ECOSOC.

Media Contact

Email: info@e2einitiative.org

Website: www.e2einitiative.org

Social Media: Join us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @e2einitiative for our rollout events. We’d love to hear from you!