Women Advocate Greater Inclusion in Governance and Decision-making

Participants at a conference organised to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) have urged the creation of safe spaces that will boost women’s participation in politics and decision-making processes.

The conference, organised by Woman of Substance (WOS) on Friday in Lagos, was themed: “Give to Gain: The Power of Reciprocity and Support.”
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Gender Strategy Advancement International, Dr. Adaora Sydney-Jack, stressed the importance of African countries, particularly Nigeria, prioritising gender inclusion.
Sydney-Jack, who also served as a guest speaker, delivered a presentation titled: “Gender Inclusion as a Driver of Economic Advancement.”
She noted that nations with higher female representation in parliament tend to commit more resources to healthcare, education, and social infrastructure, investments that benefit societies over several generations.
She lamented that although women constitute nearly half of Nigeria’s population, they occupy less than seven per cent of political positions, adding that representation of women in the National Assembly remains extremely low.
Sydney-Jack also highlighted that across Africa, startups led by women receive less than three per cent of venture capital funding, despite women reinvesting up to 90 per cent of their earnings in their families and communities, compared with 30 to 40 per cent by men.
“In Nigeria, women own about 40 per cent of small and medium-scale enterprises, yet they continue to face significant challenges in accessing credit facilities, land ownership and procurement opportunities.
“Gender inclusion is not about merely adding women to the table; it is about strengthening the table itself.
“Power that is shared is not reduced; rather, it becomes stabilised.
“A nation that excludes its women cannot achieve meaningful progress.
“When we educate girls, we secure prosperity across generations. When women are represented politically, governance becomes more responsive.
“Let history record that when this generation faced inequality, it responded with wisdom,” Sydney-Jack said.
The Managing Director of Nanny Academy, Mrs. Amara Agbim, also called for policies that would strengthen and support the caregiving workforce, a sector largely dominated by women.
In her presentation titled: “The Nanny Academy Story and its Impact on the Caregiving Economy,” Agbim encouraged employers to adequately compensate caregivers in recognition of their dedication and time.
“Caregiving is a profession that must be properly recognised. Caregivers deserve fair remuneration so they can adequately provide for themselves and their families,” she said.
Also speaking, a Consultant Gynaecologist and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Specialist, Dr. Sunday Olowogbayi, encouraged women to consider non-invasive treatment options for managing fibroids.
He explained that HIFU is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to precisely destroy diseased tissues, such as fibroids or cancer cells, without damaging surrounding healthy tissues.
Olowogbayi mentioned other available treatment options, including open surgery such as myomectomy and hysterectomy, as well as uterine artery embolisation (UAE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hormone therapy.
According to him, the choice of treatment is tailored to each patient, depending on factors such as age, symptoms, and the size of the fibroid, which may range from small to very large.
Earlier in her remarks, the Founder of WOS, Ms. Ify Onyebule, said the conference aimed to encourage collaboration and support systems that would create enabling environments for women to succeed.
Onyebule, who is also the Director-General of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation, stressed the need for increased female participation in leadership positions, noting that greater representation of women would have positive impacts on society.
She observed that women are underrepresented not only in politics but across many sectors.
“What you do to women eventually comes back to you, whether good or bad. When you support women, the universe rewards that effort.
“We call on government to create opportunities that allow women to participate actively in decision-making. The political and leadership landscape must be levelled so women can take their rightful places,” Onyebule said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured the presentation of awards to several individuals in recognition of their outstanding contributions and support to the organisation.