PRESS RELEASE
08 March 2025
Lagos, Nigeria
Centre for Media and Society Commemorates International Women’s Day 2025.
Accelerating Action for Women’s Participation and Leadership
As the world marks International Women’s Day 2025, the Centre for Media and Society, CEMESO, is calling for accelerated action to upscale women’s participation in governance and leadership.
The Executive Director of CEMESO, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, emphasised the urgent need for positive action, especially on the background of barriers, which hinder effective female representation in governance in Nigeria.
Despite the existence of a well-articulated National Gender Policy which provides for 35 per cent affirmative action in political appointments, implementation remains weak and far below target at all levels of governance. This is compounded by the failure of legislative bodies to complete the processing of laws that would advance the development and participation of women. If the goal of gender equality would not be a mirage, governance institutions should conclude the passage of pending gender bills and ensure full implementation of the policies and legislations that seek the advancement of women.
Beyond policy and legislation, women face serious challenges with political parties which have not shown serious commitment towards addressing exclusion and discrimination, despite the requirement to practice internal democracy and provide level playing grounds. Fewer and fewer women get nominated and elected into parliamentary positions. CEMESO insists that political parties should restructure their internal systems to ensure that women are provided more space to emerge as candidates and winners in elections.
While political inclusion remains a major challenge, economic independence is equally vital in closing gender gaps. Many women in Nigeria struggle with limited access to financial resources, wage disparities, employment discrimination, and restrictions on entrepreneurship, all of which hinder their ability to achieve financial stability.
Financial exclusion, persistent pay gaps, and limited access to credit continue to undermine women’s ability to thrive. Breaking financial barriers is crucial for women’s empowerment.
To address these issues, CEMESO is advocating for comprehensive financial inclusion programmes that provide women with better access to credit and funding. Additionally, the organisation calls for skill development and vocational training, particularly in emerging sectors such as technology, agriculture, and green energy, to equip women with the tools needed to succeed in an evolving job market.
The media is a key institution that shapes public perception and influence national development. Dr. Akingbulu pointed out that low access and visibility along with negative portrayals in mainstream media further reinforce societal biases, often diminishing women’s leadership potential. He advocated three approaches to address this issue: the media must take an active role in amplifying women’s voices and perspectives; there should be investment in women-led media platforms, digital literacy training, and online advocacy programmes to empower women in the digital space; and strengthening legal protections against online harassment to ensure that women can participate freely in public discourse without fear of intimidation or cyberbullying.
Beyond economic barriers, socio-cultural and religious norms continue to restrict women’s rights and opportunities. Discriminatory traditions, inheritance inequalities, and restrictive gender norms shape societal attitudes toward women, limiting their participation in leadership and decision-making. Dr. Akingbulu noted that deep-rooted cultural biases discourage women from entering governance, while double standards demand that women continually prove their competence beyond what is expected of men.
He further highlighted certain socio-religious misconceptions that contribute to gender inequality, particularly in cases of child marriage, discriminatory inheritance laws, and the stigmatisation of divorced or single mothers. These practices remain prevalent in many communities, depriving women of their basic rights and restricting their ability to contribute meaningfully to society.
Dr. Akingbulu warned that without decisive intervention, these structural inequalities will continue to deprive women of their rights and limit their contributions to national development. He urged policymakers, civil society organisations, the media and the private sector to work together in challenging harmful societal norms, promoting economic empowerment and amplifying women’s voices.
Media Contact
Timothy Bamidele
Programme Manager
tbamidele@cemesong.org
+2348056544562
