By Juliet Ezeh
International Women’s Day 2026: CISLAC Warns Economic Exclusion and Violence Still Hold Nigerian Women Back
Despite years of advocacy and policy discussions around gender equality, many Nigerian women are still struggling with economic exclusion, limited political representation and widespread gender-based violence, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has said.
In a statement marking International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, the organisation raised concerns that the realities faced by women and girls across the country show that meaningful progress toward equality remains slow and fragile.
Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, noted that while awareness about women’s rights has improved over the years, structural barriers continue to prevent women from fully participating in Nigeria’s political and economic life.
According to him, the persistent lack of access to credit facilities, financial services and productive resources continues to push many Nigerian women deeper into poverty, especially those operating small businesses or supporting families in rural communities.
Rafsanjani emphasised that economic empowerment is a critical pathway for improving the welfare of women and promoting inclusive national development.
He explained that when women are given equal opportunities to access financial resources and participate in the economy, the benefits extend beyond households to the broader national economy.
Beyond economic challenges, CISLAC also expressed worry over the rising cases of gender-based violence in different parts of the country.
The organisation said incidents involving harassment, violent attacks, kidnappings and other forms of abuse targeting women and girls remain a serious threat to their safety and dignity.
It stressed that such acts must not be normalised or justified under any circumstances, urging authorities to strengthen protection systems and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
CISLAC further highlighted the continued underrepresentation of women in political leadership and decision-making spaces, noting that many political parties have yet to demonstrate genuine commitment to gender inclusion.
The absence of strong affirmative policies within party structures, the organisation said, continues to limit women’s chances of securing elective and appointive positions.
While acknowledging the resilience of Nigerian women and their growing contributions in sectors such as education, healthcare, governance, business and community development, CISLAC stressed that systemic barriers must be dismantled to create equal opportunities.
The organisation therefore called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, civil society organisations, political parties and the private sector to advance policies and programmes that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating reforms that strengthen accountability, protect women’s rights and promote inclusive governance across Nigeria.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.