International Women’s Day 2026 has been marked with renewed calls for stronger protection of women’s rights and greater opportunities for girls, as the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) urged Nigerian authorities and stakeholders to translate gender equality commitments into concrete action.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu to commemorate the global event, made available to Securitynewsalert.com, the Executive Director of FENRAD, Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, said the annual celebration offers an opportunity to recognise the resilience, achievements and critical contributions of women to sustainable development, democracy, peacebuilding and social justice.
This year’s celebration is themed “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” a theme adopted by the United Nations to highlight the urgent need for governments and institutions to move beyond rhetoric and implement practical measures that guarantee equal rights and opportunities for women and girls.
“International Women’s Day is not just a celebration but a call to action,” Nwafor said. “Governments, institutions and societies must move beyond rhetoric and commit to tangible steps that guarantee equal rights, protection and opportunities for women and girls everywhere.”
He noted that despite progress in gender equality advocacy globally, many women and girlsparticularly in developing countries such as Nigeria, continue to face systemic challenges, including gender-based violence, economic exclusion, limited access to education and underrepresentation in political and decision-making processes.
According to him, women remain at the forefront of environmental stewardship, community resilience and social transformation, yet they are often the most affected by climate change, environmental degradation, poverty and insecurity.
“Across rural and urban communities, women bear a heavy burden of sustaining household livelihoods amid dwindling environmental resources and weak social protection systems,” he said.
FENRAD therefore called on the Federal Government, state governments, policymakers, civil society organisations and development partners to intensify efforts toward gender-responsive governance and inclusive development.
The organisation specifically urged authorities to strengthen legal protections against gender-based violence, expand economic empowerment opportunities for women and ensure their equal participation in governance and policymaking.
“Access to education, healthcare and environmental resources must also be prioritised if we are to build a more equitable society,” Nwafor added.
He further stressed the need for stronger institutional frameworks that would enable women to play greater roles in climate action, environmental governance and sustainable development initiatives.
“Empowering women in these sectors is not only a matter of justice but a strategic necessity for achieving long-term societal stability and economic growth,” he said.
Nwafor reaffirmed FENRAD’s commitment to advocating policies and programmes that protect the dignity, rights and welfare of women and girls, adding that the organisation would continue working with communities, partners and stakeholders to amplify women’s voices and strengthen civic spaces that support gender equality and environmental sustainability.
“On this significant day, we celebrate the courage, leadership and sacrifices of women across Nigeria and beyond who continue to champion peace, justice and development even in the face of daunting challenges,” he said.
He urged all stakeholders to translate commitments into measurable actions that would ensure a future where every woman and girl can live with dignity, equality and opportunity.
