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Some women groups in Enugu State have called for greater inclusion and equal opportunities for women in politics to ensure gender balance and stronger voice in governance.
The groups made the call in separate messages to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day, observed globally on March 8 to celebrate women’s resilience, challenges and achievements.
They urged governments and society to create more space for women in leadership and decision-making.
They also expressed concern that the state and the country were yet to achieve the 35 per cent affirmative action recommended by the United Nations for women’s participation in governance.
The groups emphasised that women remained indispensable to societal growth and called for stronger collaboration among women to advance gender equality and political participation in Nigeria.
Speaking, the Executive Director, New Life Community Care Initiative (NELCCI), Mrs Florence Ifeanyi-Aneke, said women must remain committed to advocating for equity and justice.
According to her, women should be encouraged to speak out against gender-based violence and other forms of discrimination.
“We want women to remain formidable in fighting for equity. Women must speak out whenever they are abused because they are not alone; there are organisations ready to support them,” she said.
Ifeanyi-Aneke noted that women were still under-represented in political positions, adding that the current situation did not reflect the contributions women make to society.
“Our majority ratified the 35 per cent affirmative action, yet in Enugu State Assembly with 24 members, we have only two women. That is unacceptable.
“Women should be given the opportunity to contest elections, hold leadership positions and fully participate in politics. It is our right and we should not be subdued because we are women,” she said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Heroine Women Foundation, Mrs Onyinye Mamah, said women continued to make enormous sacrifices in the family and society without receiving equal recognition or opportunities.
She lamented the rising cases of domestic violence and the perception that women were less competent in public leadership despite their ability to manage homes and support families.
“At home, women are seen as capable of multitasking and supporting their spouses, but at the societal level they are not considered competent enough for leadership.
“We have been advocating for 35 per cent affirmative action for over 30 years since the Beijing conference, yet we are still asking to be included and respected.
“Since democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999, no woman senator has emerged from Enugu State,” she said.
Mamah called on the Nigerian government to create policies that would enable women to participate more actively in governance.
Similarly, Executive Director, Women Information Network (WINET), Mrs Miriam Menkiti, celebrated the resilience and strength of Nigerian women in spite of the economic hardship, insecurity and gender-based violence.
Menkiti urged women to work together to build a stronger movement that would demand inclusion in governance and leadership.
According to her, women must claim space in governance and challenge gender-based violence as equality is not a favour but a right.
She encouraged women to contest political offices, demand accountability and support female candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
“To Nigerian women, your dreams are valid, your voice matters and your leadership is needed,” she said.
On her part, the Chief Executive Officer, Equity Watch Initiative, Associate Prof. Chimezie Atama, commended the resilience of women in Enugu State and emphasised the need to operationalise the 35 per cent affirmative action in governance.
She urged women to invest in self-development and self-care, stressing that empowered women contribute significantly to family and community development.
“When women grow, families gain. When women thrive, the state gains and when women lead, the world gains,” she said.
