International Women's Day

International Women's Day History

International Women's Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also raises awareness about the challenges women face globally in achieving gender parity. It encourages action to accelerate change towards gender equality through various means such as advocacy, fundraising, and volunteering.

International Women's Day has its roots in the early 20th century labor movement. The observance became globally recognized on March 8, 1975, when the United Nations started celebrating the day. In Nigeria, the day holds significant importance, and is often used as an opportunity to highlight specific regional issues that affect Nigerian women. Topics such as gender-based violence, female education, and political representation are frequently part of the discourse.

In Nigeria, International Women's Day is observed in numerous ways, with various activities designed to both celebrate and empower women. Traditional observances include rallies, conferences, and public talks aimed at raising awareness about the plight of women in the country. Also, social media campaigns mushroom, with hashtags like #PressforProgress and #BalanceforBetter becoming popular. International Women's Day is celebrated annually on March 8.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 International Women's Day in Nigeria

• The official United Nations theme for the 2026 observance is Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls, focusing on the urgent need to dismantle structural barriers and discriminatory laws that prevent women from achieving equal justice.
• A separate global campaign managed by the International Women's Day organization is centered around the theme Give To Gain, which encourages a culture of generosity and mutual support to accelerate gender parity worldwide.
• In Lagos, a major high-level gathering known as the Women SDG Advocates Conference (WSAC) 2026 will be held at the Commerce House to foster strategic partnerships among women leaders driving the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.
• There is a significant national focus on the Sexual Harassment Bill, with many advocates calling for presidential assent to finally establish a 14-year jail term for educators found guilty of misconduct in tertiary institutions.
• Recent global data reveals that women currently hold only 64 percent of the legal rights that men do, and at the current pace of reform, it would take approximately 286 years to close this legal protection gap.
• The year 2026 marks the concluding period for the Revised National Gender Policy (2021–2026), sparking intense discussions on how effectively Nigeria has met its targets for women's economic empowerment and political representation.
• A persistent digital divide remains a major talking point in Nigeria, as only 13.4 percent of women have ever used a computer compared to nearly 22 percent of men, highlighting a critical barrier to participating in the modern digital economy.
• Nigerian gender advocates are increasingly moving from "whispering demands" to active litigation and public protest to ensure that justice systems are survivor-centered and free from the bias that often prevents women from seeking formal help.
• UN Women Australia has introduced a campaign variation titled Balance the Scales, emphasizing that one in three women globally will experience physical or sexual violence, yet most will never receive the legal justice they deserve.
• Economic experts in Nigeria are highlighting that women-owned businesses still struggle with "degrading collateral requirements," leading to calls for financial institutions to treat women as capable wealth builders rather than charity cases.

In the News and Trending in Nigeria for International Women's Day

Top things to do in Nigeria for International Women's Day

• Attend one of many popular Women’s day events including: WeCon Women's Empowerment Conference (Austin, TX), Women of the World Festival (UK), and The Empowerment Bridge (NYC).
• If you’re a man, show appreciation by performing a chore for your special lady that is typically done by her. This may include cooking, cleaning, child care or anything that the special woman in your life does.
• Share your story on social media platforms or local events to connects with other women who are passionate about gender equality.
• Donate to the Women's Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON), an Nigerian nonprofit organization that works to empower women and girls through education, advocacy, and community development programs.