In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the Advocates for Health and Rights of Women and Youths Initiative (ADHERI) has urged the Nigerian government to strengthen laws that protect women from gender-based violence and ensure justice for victims.
The group made the call during the “Women’s Rights are Human Rights Conference 2025” held in Lagos.
Themed “Empowering Women, Advancing Rights”, the conference brought experts together to promote gender equality, raise awareness of women’s rights, and advocate for stronger policies against gender-based violence.
The Executive Director of ADHERI, Mr Emmanuel Etim said many women suffer harassment, abuse, and discrimination but are often ignored or punished when they try to speak up.
“Women should not be afraid to demand justice,” he said. “But the reality is that many are silenced. We need stronger policies that protect women and hold abusers accountable.”
Etim highlighted the case of Natasha, a female Senator, who was suspended for six months after raising concerns about gender-based violence.
“If a woman in a leadership position can be suspended for speaking up, what hope is there for the ordinary Nigerian woman?” he asked. “This is why we must keep pushing for policies that not only protect women but also give them the power to seek justice without fear.”
He said that gender equality remains a challenge in Nigeria, as many people still believe that women should not have the same rights as men.
“True equality means men and women standing on the same level, with the same opportunities and protections,” he said. “Until we change this mindset, women will continue to suffer in silence.”
He urged women to speak up and seek help immediately if they experience violence, adding that raising awareness and providing legal and financial support are critical in the fight against gender-based violence.
Etim called on lawmakers, organizations, and individuals to push for stronger laws and better enforcement of existing policies. He encouraged women to continue advocating for their rights and to take advantage of opportunities that empower them.
“This is not just a women’s issue, it is a human rights issue. We all need to take action,” he said.
According to Anchor of Business Week on Arise TV, Rolake Akinkugbe-Filani, women’s empowerment is essential for economic growth and national progress.
She emphasized the need for greater gender inclusion, financial empowerment, and leadership opportunities for women.
Akinkugbe-Filani noted that gender inequality hinders economic progress, stating that countries that prioritize gender equity experience at least a 30% increase in GDP growth.
She compared gender imbalance in business to “trying to fly an airplane with only one wing,” stressing that Nigeria cannot achieve its $1 trillion GDP goal without fully integrating women into its economic agenda.
She highlighted financial barriers faced by women, pointing out that although women-owned businesses make up 58% of Nigerian enterprises, they receive less than 2% of available funding. She added that closing this gap could create over 300 million new jobs annually.
Addressing workplace challenges, Akinkugbe-Filani spoke on the gender pay gap and leadership exclusion, urging women to demand fair opportunities.
She also called for an end to the culture of silence, stating that women must be heard, not just seen.
“Silence does not protect us. Playing by the rules does not always preserve our dignity. Even when we speak the truth, we may stand alone,” she said.
PwC Africa’s Inclusion and Diversity Leader, Bolane Adekoya said companies must link leadership performance to diversity metrics to drive gender equity in the workplace.
Addressing the decline in female representation at mid-management levels, Adekoya emphasized the need for intentional policies to retain and promote women in leadership.
She highlighted the Private Sector Gender Equity and Equality Scorecard, a voluntary tool for businesses to track progress on gender inclusion, covering areas like maternity policies and workplace accommodations for women.
However, she noted that real progress happens when gender diversity becomes a key performance indicator (KPI) for leadership teams.
“If you don’t make it a financial or bottom-line issue, people won’t be motivated to make changes. Once money is at stake, perspectives shift, and leaders act,” she said.
Adekoya cited Goldman Sachs’ policy of refusing to take companies public unless they had diverse board members, which started with a one-member requirement and later increased to two.
She also advocated for gender quotas, referencing Norway and France, where 40% of corporate board seats are mandated for women.
She dismissed arguments questioning women’s qualifications under such policies, stating, “Competence should go without saying. Let’s not be the ones raising that issue only when quotas are mentioned.”
According to Adekoya, achieving gender equity, which focuses on providing support to level the playing field—is more critical than just gender equality, which assumes everyone starts from the same position.
“Equity means meeting people where they are and helping them rise. We must take intentional steps to get more women into leadership,” she added.
She stressed the importance of women’s networks and financial empowerment, urging women to build personal advisory boards, trusted circles for career guidance.
She also called for sponsorship over mentorship, explaining that sponsors actively open doors for women based on their potential.
“If you care about economic growth, business success, and financial stability, then you must care about women’s rights. Let’s stop treating gender equity as just an HR initiative and start seeing it as an economic survival issue,” she concluded.
Head of Brands and Marketing at Wema Bank, Mabel Adeteye said women in leadership often find themselves tested in difficult situations, but self-awareness and preparation are crucial for navigating these challenges, ,
Sharing her experiences of being placed in leadership roles during crises, Adeteye said, “I have been in situations where people doubted my abilities. But knowing who I am has helped me navigate the journey. When you truly understand yourself, you don’t need to prove a point.”
She emphasized that women in leadership are often placed under scrutiny, with others waiting to see how they handle challenges. However, she advised women to focus on their work, deliver excellence, and let results speak for themselves.
“People will eventually ask, ‘Who handled this?’ That’s when they realize the effort and expertise behind it,” she noted.
Adeteye also stressed the importance of preparation in leadership, urging her team to strategize ahead of challenges rather than reacting under pressure.
“Many people struggle because they allow external expectations to dictate their actions. True leadership comes from trusting your abilities and staying prepared,” she added.
CEO of YD Company, Dr. Yetty Ogunnubi, said women must take ownership of their careers and claim their space in male-dominated industries rather than waiting for systemic changes.
She emphasized the need for consistency and perseverance in achieving success.
“When I entered the PR industry, it wasn’t easy, but through consistency, I made progress. If you want something, you should go for it,” she said.
She stressed that women should focus on adding value and making their contributions visible, rather than being held back by gender biases.
“I don’t believe in obstacles, I believe in continuous effort. When you consistently work toward your goals, it becomes difficult for anyone to say you don’t deserve success,” she added.
Ogunnubi urged women to take charge of their careers, noting that success should be based on merit rather than gender.
Africa Director at the Global AI Council, Africa, Freda Anyanwu said women in leadership must assert themselves and claim their space rather than shrink in male-dominated environments
She shared her experience as a young woman in leadership, often being the youngest and one of the few women in decision-making rooms.
“Early in my career, I felt the need to shrink myself to fit in. People questioned my age and underestimated me. But I had to realize, I earned my place at the table. My work speaks for itself,” she said.
She recounted instances where male colleagues dismissed her due to her age, often comparing her to their children.
“I once told a senior colleague, ‘Sir, I respect you, but you need to speak to me as a colleague and as a human being.’ That was the first time I truly found my voice,” she recalled.
Anyanwu urged women to stand firm, speak up, and set boundaries in leadership roles.
“No one will hear you if you’re whispering. Leadership is about self-awareness, knowing whether your environment helps you thrive or holds you back,” she added.
She encouraged women to seek supportive spaces, mentor others, and learn from those who have navigated similar challenges, emphasizing that true leadership requires confidence and self-respect.
Communications and Governance Consultant at the World Bank, Emana Shunnom said women must actively push for leadership roles and economic empowerment rather than wait for opportunities.
Shunnom highlighted the stark gender gap in leadership, noting that despite women making up 49.5% of Nigeria’s population, they hold less than 7% of elected positions and only 26% of executive roles in the private sector.
“Women have a legal right to workplace fairness, equal pay, and economic empowerment. But these rights are not always freely given, they must be claimed and exercised,” she said.
Shunnom outlined three key strategies for systemic change: gender quotas in leadership, which have increased female representation in countries that implement them; gender-based budgeting, to ensure government and corporate funds support women’s advancement; and economic empowerment, as financial independence boosts female political participation and leadership opportunities.
She also addressed internal barriers, stating that self-doubt and hesitation often hold women back more than external obstacles.
“Men apply for jobs when they meet 60% of the requirements, while women wait until they meet 110%. This needs to stop,” she said.
Shunnom advised women to own their expertise and confidently apply for leadership roles without hesitation.
She stressed the importance of mastering strategic networking to gain high-level mentorship and sponsorship, as connections often open doors that talent alone cannot.
Additionally, she encouraged women to increase their visibility through public speaking, professional writing, and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to showcase their expertise.
She concluded by emphasizing that women must actively shape leadership spaces in Nigeria and beyond, ensuring their voices and contributions are recognized.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, urged leaders, particularly women, to embrace feedback, avoid compromising their values, and recognize the importance of sacrifice in their leadership journey.
Chinye-Nwoko reflected on her early days as a CEO, acknowledging the pressures that often lead leaders to rush decisions.
“Many times, the problem isn’t that the cause we believe in is wrong, but rather the extremity of our approach. Leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. We need to slow down, take stock, and ask ourselves: ‘What do I stand for?’” she said.
Chinye-Nwoko stressed that taking time to understand an organization before implementing major decisions is crucial.
She admitted her eagerness to prove herself led to rushed strategies and emphasized the role of feedback in leadership success.
“When mistakes happen, and they will we must own them. Leadership shouldn’t be authoritarian. Consensus-building helps reveal blind spots,” she noted.
Addressing integrity, Chinye-Nwoko warned against compromising values for career advancement.
She highlighted the increasing trend of CV embellishments, workplace backstabbing, and unethical shortcuts, stating that such actions ultimately lead to dissatisfaction.
“For a promotion? Not worth it. For a scholarship? Not worth it. For a job? Still not worth it. If you have to lie about who you are to get ahead, you won’t have peace, even if you succeed,” she warned.
She cautioned against workplace gossip and emphasized the power of building trust, encouraging women to uplift one another rather than tearing each other down.
Chinye-Nwoko also underscored the inevitability of sacrifice in achieving success. Using personal and industry examples, she illustrated how different life seasons require different levels of commitment.
“There’s seed time and harvest time. If you’re still planting, don’t expect to be flashing the rewards just yet. Life balances out, so avoid unhealthy comparisons—especially on social media,” she advised.
She recounted a lesson from her childhood when preparing for WAEC exams felt overwhelming, and her mother simply reminded her: “Farm work isn’t easy either.” That moment, she said, reinforced the understanding that every achievement demands sacrifice.
Encouraging young professionals to stay focused, she urged them to minimize distractions and be intentional about how they spend their time.
“You don’t need to be on every social media platform. These apps take up hours you could be using to learn, grow, and advance your career,” she added.
Chinye-Nwoko concluded by reminding participants that leadership is not about titles but about impact and legacy.
She encouraged women to use their voices, build resilience, and prepare the path for future generations.
“Wherever you are, wherever you’re growing into—speak up, show up, and stand up for what’s right,” she said.
Her insights resonated with attendees, sparking discussions on ethical leadership, professional integrity, and the long-term benefits of patience and perseverance in career advancement.
The conference brought together leaders, policymakers, and business experts to discuss women’s rights, workplace inclusion, and strategies to advance gender equality in Nigeria.
