From Sola Ojo, Abuja
As the faceoff between suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio lingers, women leaders from around the world have called for action to promote rights, equality, and empowerment for girls and women.
The Executive Director of the Women Initiative for Sustainable Environment (WISE), Olanike Olugboji-Daramola, emphasised the need for collective action to achieve gender equality.
Olanike spoke as the keynote speaker in Kaduna during the commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day, organised by WISE in collaboration with other partners.
Olugboji-Daramola’s address highlighted the significance of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a pivotal moment for feminism and women’s rights.
She stressed the importance of strengthening gender-responsive action and the implementation of global commitments, including the 2030 Agenda and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
She also acknowledged progress made towards achieving gender equality, such as increased women’s participation in politics and the promotion of girls’ education.
However, Olugboji-Daramola stressed the need to confront the harsh realities that women and girls continue to face, including gender-based violence, the impact of climate change, and systemic inequalities.
According to her, “This anniversary should be used as an occasion to engage more with the generation of gender equality advocates and to bring those who remain on the sidelines into the centre of a whole-of-government, whole-of-society effort.
“By joining forces, governments together with society have the capacity to overcome and eradicate the root causes of gender inequality and chart a path forward for genuine, substantive equality, with equal rights and equal opportunities for women and girls.
“As we stand together and join women everywhere to celebrate IWD 2025, we honour the trailblazers who have worked in the past to give women a voice.
“We pay tribute to the women who fought tirelessly for their rights, often in the face of adversity and oppression. We recognise the sacrifices made by those who came before us, and we recommit ourselves to continuing their legacy.
“This year’s theme, ‘For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,’ resonates deeply with me. These words are fundamental principles that support our pursuit of a just and fair society.
“As we strive for rights, equality, and empowerment, we must confront the harsh realities that women and girls continue to face.
“We must acknowledge the prevalence of gender-based violence, the disproportionate burden of caregiving responsibilities, the impact of climate change, and the systemic inequalities that permeate our institutions and societies, which do not give women and girls a voice,” she said.