Follow Us on Google
By Bolaji Okunola
The Embassy of France in Nigeria has launched the Art X Impact Campaign to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, which spotlighted women’s rights and empowerment across the country.
In a statement, the Embassy described the initiative as a hybrid artistic campaign that would run across 16 states in Nigeria, bringing together art and advocacy to promote gender equality.
The campaign stemmed from collaborations between local artists, civil society organisations, and social influencers, who produced paintings, songs, sculptures, murals, and dance performances, designed to raise awareness and spark conversations around women’s rights.
As part of the initiative, the Embassy would host an exhibition featuring portraits and personal stories of women participating in empowerment projects. The exhibition will be displayed across the 10 Alliance Française centres in Nigeria.
The campaign is built on the impact of the French Embassy Fund for Civil Society Organisations (FEF-OSC) programme, a flagship initiative focused on promoting gender equality and the economic empowerment of women and girls across Nigeria.
Other News
The FEF-OSC programme, launched under France’s feminist diplomacy framework, stakeholders stated, has demonstrated the value of community-driven solutions and local ownership. It has supported 21 projects across 16 states, addressing key issues such as economic empowerment, climate resilience, peace building, and the prevention of gender-based violence.
The programme was developed in close collaboration with Nigerian civil society organisations and the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs, with a view to strengthening partnerships aimed at advancing women’s rights.
Some of the beneficiaries of the initiative said the programme had a transformative impact on their lives.
“Today, I am working towards becoming a software engineer, who creates second chances, a woman empowering other women,” said Achi Rebecca, a beneficiary of the She Elevates Tech programme, run by the Hopes Alive Initiative for Africa (HAI).
Another participant, Adeleye Balikis Arike, who benefited from the HEAR project by HUFFPED, described the experience as life-changing: “Reflecting on the training, I can truly say it was an eye-opener. I finally understood how to manage my money and be accountable.”
