Gift Wogu

Today is International Women’s Day, and, as usual, companies are holding flashy events for their female employees. Every year, the same recycled celebrations take place, with women who’ve “made it” in their careers invited to “inspire” younger generations. Companies also produce videos featuring women in their organisations. But beneath the fanfare, the reality for women in Nigeria paints a very different picture.

In a country plagued by rampant human rights violations, where femicide, especially in 2025, is on the rise, it’s almost ironic that we are celebrating women this week. What exactly is there to celebrate?

This week alone, or even this year, the conversations flooding the internet have been appalling. From Senator Natasha’s suspension from the Senate, to debates over gender roles and women’s contributions to the family, to the way widows and orphans are treated, what is there to celebrate?

When the case of Wigwe’s children trended online, I was horrified by the stories from people who had lost their fathers and the mistreatment they were subjected to. Family members taking everything, and accusations that the widow had killed her husband, what is there to celebrate? I remember a conversation with my aunt, where she told me about a friend who lost her husband. The friend’s community rallied to gather important documents, but when the widow just wanted to mourn, guess who showed up the next day to take the properties they hadn’t worked for? The late husband’s relatives. This story is all too common, and yet we are celebrating women? What are we really celebrating?

Now, let’s talk about the Senate case. I don’t even want to dive into it too deeply because it frustrates me, but let’s address it. How do you explain that elderly women were recruited with placards to defend an alleged sexual harassment (SH) case with the excuse, “he is somebody’s husband”? This cannot be the wisdom that comes with age. If anything, it’s a reflection of how deeply rooted this issue is. This logic is deeply flawed and contradictory.

Explaining Nigeria to an outsider is a challenge. But to truly celebrate women, we need a fundamental change in the ideologies we hold dear. Some of these outdated beliefs are:

• Believing that a man and woman who both work, earn, and contribute financially to a family should still expect the woman to handle all the household chores, simply because it’s “her job.” This perspective is both unjust and unfair. Why should a woman contribute financially to the upkeep of the home and do all the chores alone, just because the man is the “head” of the house?
• Believing that women who experience sexual harassment are somehow to blame for the way they dress. Blaming the victim instead of the perpetrator is pure madness.
• Preparing young girls to be wives rather than empowering them to become independent individuals.
• Fighting femicide and recognising that disagreements between couples don’t justify violence. If you don’t beat your boss at work when things don’t go your way, why should you beat your wife? This logic makes no sense.
• Working tirelessly to end child marriage and understanding that sexual harassment is not a trivial issue, no matter what some of our embarrassing senators think.
• Believing that successful women have slept their way to the top, undermining their hard work and achievements.
• Expecting a woman who earns more than her husband to quit her job because of her husband’s ego.

Instead of handing out care packages to the women in your lives and organisations today, we must take concrete steps to address these issues. Here are some positive actions we can take to make a meaningful difference:

1. Empowerment Through Education: Education is one of the most powerful tools for change. By educating both girls and boys about gender equality, respect, and mutual support, we can start to dismantle harmful gender stereotypes. Encouraging girls to dream beyond traditional roles and supporting boys in understanding the importance of shared responsibility in both the home and workplace can help foster a generation of more balanced thinkers.
2. Support for Widows and Orphans: Society’s treatment of widows and orphans needs to be reformed. Legal protections that prevent the exploitation of women during the most vulnerable moments of their lives are crucial. Programmes that support widows’ financial independence and provide grief counselling can help women navigate loss without being subjected to further injustice.
3. Gender-Equal Workplaces: Organisations can implement policies that promote work-life balance and foster environments where both women and men can thrive professionally without gender-based bias.
4. Stronger Legal Protections: Advocating for stronger laws against sexual harassment and domestic violence is critical. There must be consequences for perpetrators to deter such behaviour.
5. Ending Victim Blaming: It’s time to challenge the toxic culture that blames women for their harassment or abuse. Public campaigns and educational initiatives focused on changing perceptions of sexual harassment, consent, and victim-blaming are necessary to shift societal attitudes.
6. Celebrating Success Without Stigma: Successful women should be celebrated for their hard work and accomplishments, not dismissed or undermined by outdated stereotypes. By acknowledging women’s achievements in leadership, business, politics, and more, we can shift the narrative from one of scepticism to one of support and admiration.
7. Supporting Local Organisations Focused on Women’s Rights: There are numerous organisations in Nigeria dedicated to advancing women’s rights and providing vital support to those in need. Groups such as the Women Technology Empowerment Centre, Daughters of Abraham Foundation, Mirabel Rape Crisis Centre, Give Girls a Chance, She Code Africa, and many others are working tirelessly to make a difference. You can support these efforts by donating, promoting their work, or volunteering your time and skills. Your involvement can contribute to the empowerment of women across the country.

It’s not enough to simply honour women for a day; the work must continue year-round. Happy International Women’s Day!