The Young Women’s Renewed Hope Coalition (YWRHC) has called for stronger commitment from government and stakeholders to protect the rights of women and girls and ensure greater access to justice and opportunities across Nigeria.
The coalition made the call on Saturday while marking the 2026 International Women’s Day, themed “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”
In a statement signed by its Director of Strategy and Public Affairs, Dr. Azeezat Yishawu, the group said the global celebration provides an opportunity to recognise the resilience, achievements and contributions of Nigerian women while reflecting on the need for concrete actions that advance gender equality.
According to Yishawu, the theme for this year’s celebration serves as a reminder that the advancement of women must move beyond recognition to the protection of rights and the creation of equal opportunities.
“This theme is a powerful reminder that the advancement of women must go beyond recognition to ensuring the protection of rights, access to justice and deliberate action that creates equal opportunities for every woman and girl,” she said.
The coalition acknowledged ongoing efforts to improve women’s participation in leadership and governance in Nigeria and commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s representation in public life.
“We commend the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s representation and inclusion in public life, including the appointment of female leaders across ministries, federal agencies, advisory roles and diplomatic positions,” Yishawu stated.
She noted that such steps help ensure women’s voices are represented in key decision-making spaces and contribute to national development.
The coalition also highlighted programmes aimed at supporting women’s economic empowerment, particularly the expansion of the Nigeria for Women Programme Scale-Up, which seeks to provide millions of women with access to finance, skills development, markets and support networks.
“Initiatives that promote women’s economic empowerment are essential to ensuring that women not only participate in the economy but are also able to build sustainable livelihoods and support their families,” she added.
Yishawu further stressed the importance of strengthening access to justice for women and girls, especially in addressing discrimination, gender-based violence and structural barriers that limit equal participation.
“Protecting the rights of women requires strong institutions, responsive policies and sustained advocacy that guarantee fairness and accountability across all sectors of society,” she said.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to promoting policies and programmes that expand opportunities for women and girls while encouraging leadership development among young women.
“As young women leaders, the Young Women’s Renewed Hope Coalition remains committed to turning the ideals of rights, justice and equity into action,” Yishawu said.
She called on governments, civil society organisations, the private sector and community leaders to work together to ensure that women and girls can live with dignity and fully contribute to national development.
“Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls must be more than a theme; it must be a collective commitment,” she added.
