By Joshua Olomu
The Initiative for Women’s Accelerated Development in Africa (INWOAD) has called on government at all levels and other stakeholders to take steps toward promoting the rights, welfare and empowerment of women and girls across Nigeria.
The group made the call in a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Lydia Samson, on Monday.
According to the statement, the call is part of INWOAD’s resolution during its recent general meeting held virtually in commemoration of the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration with the theme “Give to Gain.”
The meeting brought together members of the organisation to discuss practical actions needed to improve the lives of women and girls in line with the global theme.
“The President and Founder of INWOAD, Evelyn Onyilo, in her remarks, urged members to move beyond annual discussions by matching words with tangible actions that will promote gender equality.
“She called on government at all levels to ensure greater inclusion of women in governance by implementing the 35 percent affirmative action policy in both appointive and elective positions.
“Onyilo also urged authorities to introduce targeted economic programmes such as grants and soft loans to support women-owned businesses and improve women’s economic independence.
“She further emphasised the need for stronger measures against sexual and gender-based violence, stressing that perpetrators must be brought to justice while survivors receive adequate protection, shelter and rehabilitation,” the statement said.
The statement added that in alignment with the 2026 IWD theme, members presented several actionable proposals aimed at empowering women and girls through education, mentorship and skills development.
Participants highlighted the need to focus on vulnerable groups such as widows, rural women and out-of-school girls, by providing training opportunities and sustainable mentorship programmes.
Members also proposed internal skill acquisition programmes where INWOAD members could train others in vocational skills such as baking and entrepreneurship as a way of promoting financial independence among women.
The meeting also recommended collaboration with community organisations to distribute sanitary pads to vulnerable adolescent girls in schools in order to encourage school attendance and reduce dropout rates.
Other issues raised during the meeting included child marriage, mental health support, maternal and reproductive healthcare, and the removal of cultural and systemic barriers that limit women’s participation in leadership and development.
Members also emphasised the need for stronger advocacy to ensure that funds allocated for youth and women development programmes are properly utilised to support vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, INWOAD National President has inaugurated new Executives to coordinate its programmes and expand its impact nationwide.
Lydia Samson emerged as the new national coordinator, Jamila Umar is now the deputy national coordinator and Queen Kunde as national secretary, alongside other management team members and zonal coordinators across the six geopolitical zones.(NAN)
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi
