As the world marks International Women’s Day, global leaders and advocates are calling for stronger action to secure equal rights, justice and opportunities for women and girls.
This year’s commemoration ( March 8 ) focuses on advancing rights, accelerating action and ensuring justice for women worldwide. Despite decades of progress, statistics show that women globally still enjoy only about 64 per cent of the legal rights available to men.
Experts say legal discrimination continues to shape the lives of millions of women. In some countries, laws restrict women from owning property, initiating divorce proceedings or even taking up employment without the consent of their husbands.
In more than 40 countries, including Nigeria, marital rape is still not recognised as a criminal offence, while other legal barriers limit women’s access to education, restrict their ability to pass citizenship to their children or control their freedom of movement outside the home.
Even where legal protections exist, weak enforcement and systemic discrimination often prevent women from accessing justice. Many struggle to obtain legal representation or navigate judicial systems that remain slow and inaccessible.
Observers note that some of these discriminatory laws have existed for centuries. However, there are growing concerns that recent political developments in parts of the world could reverse progress already made in protecting women’s rights.
Advocates warn that rising authoritarianism, political instability and renewed efforts to reinforce patriarchal systems are threatening hard-won gains in areas such as workplace protections and sexual and reproductive rights.
Global organisations are therefore urging governments to strengthen commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, both of which emphasise gender equality and women’s empowerment as key pillars of sustainable development.
The message from campaigners is clear: unless women are equal under the law, true equality cannot exist.
Meanwhile in Nigeria, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, has advised women seeking long-term influence and economic power to prioritise skill development rather than chasing quick financial success.
Speaking during a fireside chat at an International Women’s Day event in Lagos, Oduwole encouraged young female professionals to invest in building strong capabilities that can sustain their careers over time.
The session, moderated by Oluseye Olusoga, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Parthian Partners, highlighted the importance of resilience, knowledge and professional growth in securing lasting economic empowerment.
Oduwole warned that the pursuit of rapid financial rewards can often distract young professionals from developing the skills necessary to thrive in the long run.
As discussions around gender equality continue worldwide, advocates say real progress will depend not only on policy reforms but also on sustained action to dismantle discrimination and expand opportunities for women and girls.
For many campaigners, the message of this year’s International Women’s Day remains urgent: achieving equality requires more than promises, it demands justice, commitment and collective action.
