The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre has called for far-reaching reforms in Nigeria’s laws, policies and institutional practices to accelerate the development, protection and full participation of women and girls.
The organisation made the call in a statement issued to mark International Women’s Day 2026 and signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani.
CISLAC warned that recent developments suggest a worrying reversal of gains previously achieved in promoting women’s rights and inclusion.
According to the group, although awareness about gender equality has improved over the years, persistent structural inequalities, discrimination and the limited representation of women in decision-making spaces continue to hinder their full participation in Nigeria’s democratic and development processes.
“Transformative changes in governance, legal frameworks and institutional practices are necessary to accelerate the development of women and girls in Nigeria. Without deliberate gender transformation, the progress we have made over the years risks being eroded,” the statement said.
CISLAC said Nigeria must move beyond symbolic commitments and embrace deliberate gender transformation that addresses gaps in existing laws, policies and justice systems affecting women’s rights and opportunities.
The organisation also expressed concern that political parties in the country have not shown enough commitment to gender balance or to the deliberate inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making roles.
According to CISLAC, the lack of strong affirmative action within party structures continues to limit women’s access to elective and appointive positions, thereby restricting their influence on public policy and governance.
The group further highlighted the economic marginalisation of women, noting that many Nigerian women face what it described as double poverty and exploitation due to limited access to credit, financial services and broader economic opportunities.
“Economic empowerment remains one of the most critical pathways for liberating women from poverty. Ensuring women’s access to credit facilities, productive resources and economic opportunities is essential to achieving inclusive growth and sustainable national development,” the organisation said.
CISLAC also raised concerns over the continued prevalence of gender-based violence across the country, including violent attacks, kidnappings, harassment and other forms of abuse targeting women and girls.
The organisation condemned attempts to justify or normalise such acts and called on government authorities and law-enforcement agencies to strengthen accountability mechanisms, ensure the protection of women and girls and guarantee justice for victims.
While acknowledging the resilience and contributions of Nigerian women across sectors such as governance, business, education, healthcare and community leadership, CISLAC said stronger institutional commitment is required to dismantle systemic barriers that continue to limit women’s advancement.
The organisation urged government institutions, political parties, civil society organisations and the private sector to work together to transform policies, strengthen legal protections and create inclusive economic opportunities that will advance gender equality in Nigeria.
CISLAC also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and inclusive governance, while continuing to advocate for reforms that guarantee the rights, dignity and full participation of women and girls in Nigeria’s development.
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