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By Jacinta Nwachukwu
A non-governmental organisation, Plan International Nigeria, has called for a national budget that reflects the needs of women and girls to ensure their wellbeing.
The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Plan International Nigeria, Dr Nana Chidi-Emmanuel, made the call in Abuja, at a roundtable hybrid session on promoting inclusive legislation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the session was organised to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).
Chidi-Emmanuel, who was represented by a board member, Pelemo Nyajo, noted that many girls and women have continued to face barriers in education, economic opportunity, leadership and protection from harm.
“Shifting this reality starts with making sure that girls and young women are empowered as leaders, advocates and decision makers; that their voices matter in the room where decisions are being made.
“Government priorities are ultimately reflected in how resources are allocated and spent and if we are going to advance the rights of women and girls, we need to make sure that the national budgets reflect their needs,” she said.
She further underscored the need for continuous awareness for “public investments that translate into measurable and real improvement in the lives of women and girls.”
“Our rights are necessary, justice is necessary, and we need to take action to make sure that our rights are preserved,’’ she emphasised.
She said that the organisation would continue to participate and engage actively in conversations that ensure that the voices of women and girls are heard.
In her goodwill message, Amina Usman, National Coordinator, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Nigeria, said the dialogue was timely and necessary across Africa.
Usman said the platform would assist, particularly to address systematic barriers that limit full participation in governance, education and decision-making processes among women and girls.
She said conversations like this were critical to advancing inclusive legislation and ensuring women and girls were not only protected by law, but also empowered to lead and influence the policies that shape their futures.
“In Nigeria, we strongly believe that education, leadership and policy reforms must work hand-in-hand to achieve gender equality.
“Creating spaces where women’s voices are heard, and legislative processes are essential for building societies that are fair, inclusive, and prosperous.
“As we commemorate this spirit of international democracy, let us move beyond dialogue to great action,” Usman noted.
The coordinator also stressed the need to strengthen partnership, mentor and imagine female leaders while advocating for laws that disseminate barriers to equality.
Also speaking, National Coordinator, Girls Get Equal, an NGO, Mrs Jennifer James, acknowledged the great strength, resilience, and brilliance of women across the world.
James explained that IWD was not just a moment of recognition, but a call to action, a reminder that equality, dignity and opportunity for every woman and girl must remain a shared priority.
She underscored the need to empower women with rights to justice and inclusion to thrive in their own community.
Also contributing, Dr Emily Ikhide, the Head, Gender and Inclusivity Unit, National Institute for Legislature and Democratic Studies (NILDS), urged women not to give up in the fight for inclusiveness and equality.
According to her, there is a gender gap in all sectors, hence, the need for continuous advocacy for the legislature and development they are pushing for.
NAN further reports that the theme for this year’s IWD is, “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls’’.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Peter Okolie, Rotimi Ijikanmi
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