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Gender Equality

Air Chief celebrates women’s contributions on International Women’s Day

by Administrator March 8, 2026

written by Administrator

ABUJA – The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, has commended the dedication and professionalism of the female officers and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as the world marks International Women’s Day 2026.

Aneke gave the commendation in his message on Sunday to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) in Abuja.

He highlighted the critical roles played by women across flying, engineering, medical, administrative and combat support functions in strengthening operational effectiveness.

Aneke noted that female personnel have continued to demonstrate courage, competence, discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties nationwide.

According to him, this year’s theme, “Give to Gain: Generosity, Collaboration and Collective Uplift,” underscores the importance of intentional support through mentorship, opportunity, trust and collaboration.

He added that such commitment was essential to advancing gender equality and building stronger institutions.

The air chief reaffirmed commitment to expanding leadership pathways and strengthening support systems for female personnel to enhance their professional growth and contributions to national security.

“Within the Nigerian Air Force, our female officers and airwomen remain vital to our operational success,” he said.

Aneke added that deliberate investment in women would help build a more capable, mission-ready and united force.

According to him, the women of the NAF also joined others across the world in celebrating the achievements of women and advocating greater inclusion and empowerment. (NAN)

March 8, 2026 0 comments

News

Funding cuts threatening work to end violence against women, says UN agency

by Administrator October 28, 2025

written by Administrator

NEW YORK – The UN gender equality agency, UN Women, has said funding cuts are dismantling the frontline organisations working to end violence against women and girls.

UN Women, in a report published on Monday, warned that aid cuts shutdown or suspend one in three women’s anti-violence programmes.

A report, At Risk and Underfunded, based on a global survey of 428 women’s rights and civil society groups, finds that one in three have suspended or shut down programmes aimed at ending gender-based violence.

More than 40 per cent have scaled back or closed essential services such as shelters, legal aid, psychosocial and healthcare support due to immediate funding shortfalls.

Nearly 80 per cent reported reduced access to services for survivors, while 59 per cent said impunity and the normalisation of violence were increasing.

“Women’s rights organisations are the backbone of progress on violence against women, yet they are being pushed to the brink,” Kalliopi Mingeirou, head of UN Women’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls section, said.

“We cannot allow funding cuts to erase decades of hard-won gains.

“We call on governments and donors to ringfence, expand and make funding more flexible. Without sustained investment, violence against women and girls will only rise.”

It noted that violence against women remains one of the world’s most pervasive human rights violations.

Around 736 million women – nearly one in three – have experienced physical or sexual violence, most often by an intimate partner, according to UN Women data.

The agency had already warned earlier this year that many women-led organisations in crisis settings were on the brink of closure – a concern now reinforced by At Risk and Underfunded.

Only five per cent of surveyed organisations said they could sustain operations for more than two years, and 85 per cent predicted severe setbacks to laws and protections for women and girls.

Over half also voiced serious concern about rising threats to women human rights defenders.

The report warns that these financial shortfalls are unfolding amid a wider backlash against women’s rights, now evident in one in four countries. As funding dries up, many groups are forced to prioritise emergency services over the long-term advocacy that drives systemic change.

At Risk and Underfunded comes as the world marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark blueprint for gender equality that placed ending violence against women at its core. (NAN)

October 28, 2025 0 comments

News

Funding Crisis Threatens Global Fight Against Violence on Women – UN

by Joy: News Admin October 28, 2025

written by Joy: News Admin

The United Nations gender equality agency, UN Women, has warned that severe funding cuts are crippling frontline organisations working to combat violence against women and girls worldwide.

In a new report released on Monday, titled “At Risk and Underfunded”, UN Women revealed that one in three programmes aimed at tackling gender-based violence has been suspended or shut down due to a lack of financial support.

According to the global survey, which covered 428 women’s rights and civil society organisations, over 40 percent have scaled back or closed critical services — including shelters, legal aid, healthcare, and psychosocial support — because of immediate funding shortfalls.

The report further noted that nearly 80 percent of organisations observed a decline in access to services for survivors, while 59 percent reported growing impunity and normalisation of violence against women.

“Women’s rights organisations are the backbone of progress on violence against women, yet they are being pushed to the brink,” said Kalliopi Mingeirou, Head of UN Women’s Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Section.

“We cannot allow funding cuts to erase decades of hard-won gains. We call on governments and donors to ringfence, expand, and make funding more flexible. Without sustained investment, violence against women and girls will only rise.”

UN Women described gender-based violence as one of the world’s most pervasive human rights violations, citing data showing that 736 million women — nearly one in three globally — have experienced physical or sexual violence, most often by an intimate partner.

The agency previously warned that many women-led organisations in crisis-affected areas were on the brink of closure — a concern now reinforced by the latest findings.

Only five percent of the organisations surveyed said they could sustain operations beyond two years, while 85 percent predicted serious setbacks to legal protections and policy reforms benefiting women and girls.

More than half of the respondents also expressed concern over rising threats to women human rights defenders, as financial challenges coincide with a growing global backlash against women’s rights, now visible in one in four countries.

The report emphasised that as funding dries up, many groups are being forced to prioritise short-term emergency aid instead of long-term advocacy — a shift that threatens to undo systemic progress achieved over decades.

The release of At Risk and Underfunded coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global blueprint for gender equality that placed the fight against violence towards women at its core.

October 28, 2025 0 comments

News

Reserving seats for women key to addressing historical exclusion – Advocates

by Content Admin September 17, 2025

written by Content Admin

ABUJA- Gender advocates have said the proposed Constitutional amendment bill to reserve parliamentary seats for women could significantly reduce gender-based abuse and violence in Nigeria, if passed into law.

This is contained in a statement ahead of the Special Dialogue on Reserved Seats Bill Under SheThePeople Platform, hosted by Emerge Women Development Initiative on Wednesday in Abuja.

The dialogue hosted in partnership with the Entrepreneurship Centre for Women Development (ECWD), has a theme “Deepening the Conversation, Accelerating Women’s Representation in Governance.”

Mrs Mary Ikoku, Founder, SheThePeople platform, said the reserved seats for women will ensure inclusive representation and reflects the diversity of Nigerian society.

Ikoku added that the forthcoming dialogue aim to foster high-level conversations around women’s political participation and empowerment in Nigeria.

She emphasised the urgency of the bill, stating that, “Reserved seats are not a favor—they are a structural correction for decades of exclusion. We must build the momentum to make this reform a reality.”

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Founding Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), said, “We have talked long enough—now is the time for institutional action.

“These bills represent a turning point for women’s rights in Nigeria.”

The event scheduled to hold Sept. 18 will also focus on issues around gender-responsive legislation, women empowerment and shaping the future of women’s representation in Nigerian governance.

NAN reports that the bill, currently under consideration by the National Assembly, is part of an ongoing constitutional review led by the House of Representatives.

It proposes the creation of one reserved Senate seat per State and the Federal Capital Territory (37 in total), one additional seat per State in the House of Representatives (another 37), and three seats per state in each State House of Assembly, all to be contested exclusively by women.

Nigeria currently ranks among the lowest globally in female political representation, with women occupying less than five per cent seats in the federal legislature, inspite of making up nearly half of the country’s population.

There are arguements that the lack of women in governance contributes to the systemic neglect of issues like sexual violence, maternal health, education for girls, and social protection. (NAN)

September 17, 2025 0 comments

Business

Economy Gender inclusion key to trade policy – Minister

by Administrator May 1, 2025

written by Administrator

LAGOS – Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, has stated the reason for mainstreaming gender inclusion in industrial and trade policy.

Oduwole made this known on Thursday in Lagos at The Covenant Nation Platform Africa Women in Leadership and Women in Business Conference.

The minister noted that women, when equipped with the tools, networks and opportunities, do not just participate; they lead, grow, and multiply value.

She added that women in leadership positions are more likely to prioritise collaboration, invest in social infrastructure, and lead with empathy and inclusion.

Oduwole noted that companies with more women in leadership outperform their peers and countries with more inclusive policies grow faster and more equitably.

“Leadership is not a gendered gift, but the absence of women in leadership is a loss, not just for women, but for society.

“That is why I have mainstreamed gender inclusion in industrial and trade policy.

“Whether we are designing Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) support funds, shaping trade facilitation strategies, or negotiating under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), we must ask: where are the women? This is because that is smart economics.

“The business of the future is female and Africa’s future will be driven by women in business,” she said.

Oduwole stated that while women account for nearly 60 per cent of Africa’s self-employed population, they face systemic barriers in accessing finance, markets and formal structures.

According to her, as Africa rethinks, the continent must begin to reimagine an economy that truly works for women.

She said the continent must be guided by a system where startup capital does not require collateral women are statistically less likely to own, and where policies are not gender-blind but gender-intentional.

“It must be supported by a system where leadership is not something women have to prove they are worthy of, but something we collectively cultivate, mentor and support at every level,” she said.

Oduwole said that her leadership journey had been shaped by a deep commitment to driving transformative change and impact within Nigeria’s economic growth.

She noted that her strong foundation in financial systems and business strategy provided a clear lens into how capital moved and how economic structures shaped national development.

“Together, these experiences have shaped my approach to leadership; rooted in evidence, equity, and a belief in Africa’s capacity to compete and thrive globally.

“I hope my leadership legacy reflects the power of systemic change, and I want to be remembered for caring enough to sacrifice many things to build a more resilient, equitable and sustainable business environment in Nigeria and Africa,” she said.

Oduwole also advised women to henceforth mentor with intention, collaborate across borders and lead with purpose. (NAN)

May 1, 2025 0 comments

Gender Equality

Air Chief celebrates women’s contributions on International Women’s Day

Funding cuts threatening work to end violence against women, says UN agency

Funding Crisis Threatens Global Fight Against Violence on Women – UN

Reserving seats for women key to addressing historical exclusion – Advocates

Economy Gender inclusion key to trade policy – Minister

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