IWD: Sen Nwachukwu, Ignes celebrate resilience of Anambra South, Arochukwu, Ohafia women, call for greater inclusion

From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja

Senator Emmanuel C. Nwachukwu and eminent entrepreneur and politician Hon. Ifeanyi Ogbonna, popularly known as Ignes, have joined Nigerians and the global community in celebrating the 2026 International Women’s Day, paying glowing tributes to the resilience, strength and contributions of women in Anambra South Senatorial District as well as Arochukwu and Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, while calling for greater inclusion and protection of women in governance and national development.

In separate statements issued on Sunday to mark the global observance, the two leaders commended the indispensable role women continue to play in building families, strengthening communities and driving social and economic progress despite persistent structural barriers.

Senator Nwachukwu, in a statement personally signed and made available to The Sun, described women as critical drivers of development whose voices, leadership and ideas remain central to building a progressive society. He noted that International Women’s Day provides an important moment to recognise the vital contributions of women to social justice, equality and innovation.

“Today offers an important moment to recognize the indispensable role women play in building stronger families, vibrant communities, and a more progressive society,” the senator said.

Reflecting on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Give To Gain,” Nwachukwu emphasized the need for collective commitment toward safeguarding the rights of women and girls while creating opportunities that enable them to thrive and lead across all sectors of society.

“This year’s theme calls on all of us to deepen our commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls, ensuring justice and fairness in every sphere, and taking deliberate actions that create more opportunities for women to thrive, lead, and contribute meaningfully to societal growth,” he added.

The lawmaker further celebrated the determination and strength of women across Anambra South, reaffirming his commitment to supporting policies and initiatives that promote gender inclusion and equal opportunities. He described women in the district as remarkable partners in progress whose contributions remain vital to societal development.

Similarly, Ignes, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Abia State, extended special recognition to women in Arochukwu and Ohafia Federal Constituency, praising their resilience and the critical roles they continue to play in sustaining families, communities and local economies.

Aligning with the global theme of “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls,” Ogbonna described the message as a timely call on governments, institutions and individuals to ensure that women and girls everywhere live safely, speak freely and enjoy equal opportunities.

He noted that women mothers, sisters and wives have continued to break barriers across sectors despite numerous political, economic, religious and cultural obstacles.

“Beyond the celebrations, this year’s occasion presents another opportunity to intensify advocacy to dismantle structural barriers limiting women’s full participation in governance, economic life and decision-making,” he said.

While commending the ongoing advocacy for the Reserved Special Seats Bill for women, Ogbonna stressed that beyond legislation, urgent attention must also be given to foundational challenges that hinder women’s advancement, including limited access to education, healthcare, justice and protection from abuse, as well as the eradication of child marriage and other harmful traditional practices.

He also urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to address the persistent under-representation of women in elective offices, noting that statistics show women currently occupy only about 3.9 to 4.4 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, while only eight women serve as ministers out of 46 cabinet positions in the federal government.

According to him, such figures remain unacceptable in a country where women constitute nearly half of the population.
At the grassroots level, Ogbonna paid tribute to women in Arochukwu and Ohafia constituencies, many of whom rely on agriculture for their livelihoods, advocating stronger government support through agricultural implements, financial assistance and improved infrastructure to boost productivity.

He also expressed concern over the limited number of Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in Nigeria, noting that the country currently operates about 50 centres for a population exceeding 200 million people, far below international standards recommending at least one centre per 400,000 people, which would require a minimum of 500 centres nationwide.

Citing global data from the United Nations, Ogbonna noted that women currently hold only about 64 per cent of the legal rights available to men, exposing them to discrimination, violence and exclusion at various stages of life.
“When women and girls are denied justice, the damage goes far beyond any single case. Public trust erodes, institutions lose legitimacy, and the rule of law itself is weakened,” he warned.

The APC chieftain further called for expanded empowerment programmes, skills acquisition initiatives and improved access to education and finance for grassroots women, noting that such interventions are essential for strengthening families and boosting economic growth.

He added that while grassroots women require targeted support to overcome challenges such as illiteracy, lack of vocational skills and limited business opportunities, educated women continue to seek equal opportunities in employment, leadership and politics.

Both leaders stressed that the global observance of International Women’s Day serves not only as a celebration of progress but also as a reminder that much work remains to achieve true gender equality.