Call for Women's Empowerment Ahead of 2027 Elections

On Tuesday in Abuja, a coalition of Civil Society Organizations, including the Africa Faith Justice Network and Dominican Justice and Peace, represented by Sr. Eucharia Maduek, called for urgent reforms to promote women's empowerment and inclusive governance in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections. The coalition emphasized the need for political leadership to move beyond rhetoric and implement structured, enforceable actions that guarantee meaningful participation.

Despite women comprising nearly half of Nigeria's population, they are significantly underrepresented in governance, with only four percent participation at various government levels, ranking 178th out of 182 countries studied. Maduek highlighted that the lack of enforcement of existing gender policies, which aim for at least 35 percent representation of women in public office, has hindered progress.

The coalition urged the government to address the structural, cultural, and political barriers that prevent women from participating fully in governance, stressing that empowering women is essential for sustainable national development.