Human Rights Agenda Network

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬, 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧

The Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN) joins the global community in commemorating International Women’s Day and reaffirming the urgent need to strengthen the rights, justice, and legal protection of women and girls in Nigeria.

Across the world and in Nigeria, millions of women and girls continue to face violence, discrimination, and abuse. Too often, survivors of r**e, domestic violence, and harassment encounter barriers to justice.

Cases are underreported, investigations are slow, and many perpetrators face little or no consequences. In workplaces and public spaces, harassment persists while many women fear
retaliation for speaking up.

Although laws exist to protect women, justice cannot be achieved unless those laws are effectively enforced. When survivors seek help
but receive little protection, it sends a message that the system is failing them. Impunity encourages further violations and undermines confidence in the rule of law.

Political representation is another critical issue. Women remain significantly underrepresented in Nigeria’s political institutions, including the National Assembly of Nigeria. As the country prepares for future electoral cycles, there is a pressing need to create more space for women in leadership and decision-making, ensuring that policies and laws reflect the realities and needs of Nigerian women.

𝐇𝐑𝐀𝐍 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫:

a. Stronger enforcement of laws against r**e, domestic violence, and sexual harassment, including harsher penalties for perpetrators.
Effective protection mechanisms for women who report abuse or
harassment.

b. Legal and policy reforms that guarantee equal inheritance and property rights for women.

c. Greater support for women’s participation in politics, including increased representation in the National Assembly and other public offices.

d. Stronger accountability within the justice system to ensure survivors are heard and perpetrators are held responsible.

On this International Women’s Day, HRAN emphasizes that rights must be backed by justice and protection. Nigerian women deserve
a society where their voices are heard, their safety is guaranteed, and their opportunities are not limited by discrimination.

Ensuring rights, justice, and legal protection for Nigerian women is essential for building a fair, inclusive, and prosperous Nigeria.

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝:
Human Rights Agenda Network (HRAN)

On 12th February, 2026, HRAN paid a courtesy visit to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to strengthen collaboration and deepen institutional partnership.

Our discussions focused on building a more structured and impact-driven working relationship that reflects current realities in Nigeria’s human rights landscape including rapid response mechanisms, early warning systems, joint programming, and capacity-building initiatives.

We are committed to working closely with the Commission to advance human rights protection, accountability, and access to justice across Nigeria.


Nigeria