By George Ozalla
The Youth Development Committee of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV) has called for deliberate investment in women’s leadership and expanded opportunities for girls, stressing that sustainable national development depends on the empowerment and participation of women in decision making.
The group made the call as Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day, urging policymakers, civil society groups and the private sector to strengthen efforts aimed at promoting women’s rights and leadership.
According to a press statement signed by the Chair of the NILOWV Youth Development Committee, Rachel Anyanwu, popularly known as Ada the Welder, societies can only achieve meaningful progress when they intentionally invest in the leadership, rights and opportunities of women and girls.
The committee noted that this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give to Gain: Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls, highlights the need for practical steps that create enabling environments for women to thrive and contribute to national development.
It explained that when societies provide women with the necessary support, space and institutional structures to lead, the benefits extend beyond individuals to strengthen communities and national institutions.
The committee said it has taken concrete steps toward achieving this objective through its Leadership Hub initiative, which is focused on nurturing a new generation of youth leaders equipped with the courage, values and strategic thinking required to shape Nigeria’s future.
Through the initiative, the group said young women are being trained and positioned to assume leadership roles in governance, public policy, entrepreneurship and civic engagement.
The committee further stressed that leadership development must be intentional, noting that access to mentorship, civic education and leadership training empowers young women not only to participate in society but to play transformative roles in strengthening democratic institutions.
It also drew attention to the need to dismantle structural barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in governance and decision making.
The committee expressed support for the proposed Special Seats Bill, describing it as a strategic intervention that could expand women’s representation in governance and ensure that their voices and priorities are reflected in key national decisions.
It added that supporting the bill should not be viewed as charity but as a deliberate investment in building stronger institutions, inclusive governance and a balanced democratic system.
The NILOWV Youth Development Committee therefore called on policymakers, civil society organisations, youth groups and stakeholders in the private sector to rally support for the legislation, emphasizing that greater political representation for women remains one of the most practical ways to advance rights, justice and meaningful action for women and girls.
International Women’s Day is observed globally on March 8 each year to celebrate the achievements of women and promote gender equality while drawing attention to the need for greater opportunities and protection of the rights of women and girls across the world.
