By Jako Keke, March 14, 2026.
A women-focused organisation, the (INWOAD), has called on government, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to take concrete steps toward improving the welfare, safety and empowerment of women and girls across Nigeria.
The call was made during the group’s general meeting held virtually on March 10, 2026, to commemorate the celebration with the theme “Give to Gain.”
In a statement jointly issued by the National Coordinator of the organisation, , and the Public Relations Officer, , members discussed practical measures aimed at improving the lives of women and girls in line with the global campaign for gender equality.
Speaking during the meeting, the President and Founder of INWOAD, , urged members to move beyond annual advocacy by translating discussions into concrete actions that would promote women’s rights and development.
She called on governments at all levels to ensure greater inclusion of women in governance by implementing the 35 percent affirmative action policy in appointive and elective positions.
Onyilo also advocated targeted economic interventions such as grants and soft loans for women-owned businesses to strengthen women’s financial independence.
She further stressed the need for stronger measures to address sexual and gender-based violence, urging authorities to ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted while survivors receive adequate protection, shelter and rehabilitation.
Participants at the meeting presented several proposals aimed at empowering women and girls through education, mentorship and skills development. The proposals included special attention for vulnerable groups such as widows, rural women and out-of-school girls through training programmes and sustainable mentorship initiatives.
Members also proposed internal skill acquisition programmes where members of the organisation could train others in vocational areas such as baking and entrepreneurship to enhance women’s economic opportunities.
The meeting also recommended collaboration with community organisations to distribute sanitary pads to vulnerable adolescent girls in schools as a way of encouraging school attendance and reducing dropout rates.
Other issues discussed included child marriage, mental health support, maternal and reproductive healthcare, as well as the removal of cultural and systemic barriers limiting women’s participation in leadership and development.
The group further emphasised the need for stronger advocacy to ensure that funds earmarked for youth and women development programmes are properly utilised to support vulnerable groups.
Meanwhile, INWOAD has inaugurated a new management team to coordinate its programmes and expand its impact nationwide.
The team will be led by Lydia Samson as National Coordinator, with serving as Deputy National Coordinator and as National Secretary, alongside other management members and zonal coordinators across the six geopolitical zones.
Speaking on behalf of the new leadership team, Samson thanked members for the confidence reposed in them and assured that the team would work diligently to advance the organisation’s vision and strengthen its programmes across the country.
She also called for the cooperation and active participation of members in building a stronger organisation capable of delivering meaningful impact.
The meeting further explored strategies for sustaining the organisation’s programmes, including partnerships with philanthropists, corporate organisations and community-based empowerment initiatives.
Members agreed that training, mentorship and empowerment programmes targeting vulnerable women and girls should commence immediately, even on a modest scale, in line with the theme “Give to Gain.”
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender equality, strengthening women’s economic empowerment and expanding opportunities for the girl child across Nigeria.
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