Experts and gender advocates have intensified calls for the full implementation of gender equality policies, emphasising the urgent need to translate commitments into tangible action.
This was the central message at the 2025 Transformative Gender Justice Conference, held in Abuja, with the theme, “March Forward: From Promises to Progress – Advancing the Implementation of the Maputo Protocol.”
The event was organised by Christian Aid in collaboration with Side by Side Nigeria and other stakeholders.
Former First Lady of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, who delivered a keynote address, traced the origins of the Maputo Protocol, which was designed to guarantee women’s rights in political participation, economic empowerment, and protection from harmful practices such as female genital mutilation.
While acknowledging the efforts of African leaders like Thabo Mbeki, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdoulaye Wade, Paul Kagame, and Meles Zenawi in championing the protocol, she lamented the slow pace of its implementation despite 44 out of 55 African nations ratifying the agreement.
“There are still significant gaps in enforcement,” Adeleye-Fayemi noted. “Political resistance, weak legal frameworks, inadequate funding, and deeply entrenched societal norms continue to hinder progress.”
Citing a 2023 report by the Solidarity of African Women’s Rights (SWAN) network, she pointed out that women and girls still face significant challenges in accessing education, economic opportunities, and protection from gender-based violence.
She also referenced Nigeria’s gender parity ranking, which placed the country 125th out of 146 in the 2024 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report—a slight improvement from its 138th position in 2023 but still trailing behind most nations.
Despite these challenges, Adeleye-Fayemi acknowledged progress, particularly in legal frameworks and increased female leadership in education.
“Today, Nigeria has 19 female vice-chancellors in tertiary institutions, which is a significant step forward,” she remarked, urging stakeholders to push for the full implementation of gender policies and ensure women’s voices are amplified in decision-making at all levels.
Stakeholders Demand Stronger Action on Gender Justice
Christian Aid Country Director, Temitope Fashola, and Side by Side Nigeria Co-Chair, Murtala Sulaiman, reinforced the need for immediate action on gender justice.
Mrs Fashola stressed that gender justice is crucial for sustainable development and urged the full implementation of policies addressing gender-based violence, economic exclusion, and political underrepresentation.
“We need to move beyond policy discussions and take concrete steps to ensure gender equality is achieved,” Fashola asserted. He commended partnerships with organizations like PLAN International and the National Coalition on Ending Child Marriage for their contributions to advancing gender equality efforts.
Sulaiman emphasised the significance of 2025 as the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, calling for accelerated implementation of the Maputo Protocol, which Nigeria ratified in 2023 and 2024.
“Faith and traditional leaders must play a crucial role in driving policy enforcement and cultural transformation,” he stated, stressing that achieving gender justice requires collective action from government, civil society, and faith-based groups.
Moving from Commitments to Concrete Action
In their goodwill messages, speakers including Tunde Aremu of PLAN International and Benedict Chukwuma, Assistant Clerk of the House of Representatives Committee on Women Affairs, emphasised the need for gender commitments to be backed by actionable measures.
Aremu urged policymakers to ensure gender justice policies are effectively implemented, particularly in education, leadership, and protections for girls. “Engaging state institutions, private sector stakeholders, and traditional leaders is crucial for driving meaningful change,” he said.
Chukwuma also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to combating gender-based discrimination and violence, highlighting the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill and ongoing efforts toward the domestication of the Maputo Protocol.
“Advocacy, legal enforcement, and inclusive policies are critical to ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women and girls,” he noted.
Participants at the conference called on stakeholders to sustain funding, strengthen policy enforcement, and foster collaborations to accelerate progress on gender equality in Nigeria and across Africa.
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