By Justina Auta
As the world marks International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, stakeholders in Nigeria have emphasised the need to amplify the voices of rural women in decision-making spaces.
The call was made at the 2025 IWD celebration organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), FCT Chapter, in collaboration with the Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers Association in Abuja.
Civil society organisations, rural women, and concerned Nigerians gathered to address the challenges faced by rural women and advocated for their inclusion in governance and policy formulation.
The event, themed “Accelerate Action: Amplifying the Voices of Rural Women,” highlighted the crucial role rural women play in national development and the importance of their participation in governance.
The Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Mrs Bassey Ita-Ikpang stressed the importance of empowering rural women to ensure their voices were heard in decision-making processes.
She noted that if things improved in rural areas, the entire nation would benefit, urging support for rural women to assert their rights.
“Rural women are the backbone of our communities, and their voices must be heard.
“We must create opportunities for them to participate in governance and ensure their concerns are addressed,” she said.
Ikpang added that the media had a key role in spotlighting the contributions and struggles of rural women.
The Etsu of Kwali, Mr Luka Nizasaan III in his keynote address, reiterated the vital role rural women play in sustaining families, local economies, and national food production.
“In spite of their immense contributions, they often remain unheard, unseen, and underserved.
“To truly honour rural women, we must move beyond recognition and take action.
“Their voices must be amplified in decision-making spaces, policy dialogues, and economic opportunities,” he said.
Nizasaan emphasised that education and digital empowerment are crucial to unlocking opportunities for rural women.
Ms Grace Ike, the Chief host and Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abuja Council, called for solidarity among women to drive change.
She encouraged all to continue working together in unity, raising their voices as agents of change.
As part of efforts to support rural women, two beneficiaries were presented with N50,000 each in cash support.
