In a statement issued on Sunday, the association’s Cap’n, Joseph Oteri, said the annual commemoration provides an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, achievements and vital contributions of women to national development while reflecting on the persistent barriers that limit their full participation in leadership.
The 2026 celebration is themed “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls.”
Oteri noted that despite the central role women play in family stability, community development and national progress, their representation in Nigeria’s political leadership remains significantly low.
“International Women’s Day is not only a celebration of women’s achievements but also a reminder that the journey toward gender equality is far from complete,” he said.
“Nigerian women contribute immensely to our nation’s development, yet their representation in political leadership remains disproportionately low.”
Low representation in parliament
He cited figures from Nigeria’s current political landscape, noting that after the 2023 general elections, women occupy only three of the 109 seats in the Senate of Nigeria and 17 of the 360 seats in the House of Representatives of Nigeria.
According to him, this translates to roughly 4.2 per cent female representation in the National Assembly of Nigeria, placing the country among those with the lowest levels of women’s representation in parliament globally.
He observed that women make up nearly half of Nigeria’s population and remain active participants in civic and democratic processes, yet they remain largely underrepresented in positions where national policies are shaped.
Global comparison
Oteri noted that globally, women’s representation in national parliaments averages more than 26 per cent, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), with several African countries making notable progress toward gender-inclusive governance.
He highlighted Rwanda as a leading example, noting that deliberate reforms and strong political commitment have resulted in women occupying more than 60 per cent of seats in the country’s national legislature.
Structural barriers
According to the NAS Cap’n, Nigeria’s poor performance in gender representation is largely driven by structural and cultural barriers that discourage women from seeking public office.
These challenges include high nomination fees imposed by political parties, entrenched gender bias within the political system, electoral violence and weak institutional support for female candidates.
He argued that inclusive governance strengthens democratic institutions and leads to more balanced policy outcomes.
“Societies that promote women’s participation in leadership benefit from broader perspectives in decision-making, stronger democratic legitimacy, and improved social policies that reflect the needs of all citizens,” Oteri said.
Calls for political reforms
The association urged political parties to reform internal processes that discourage female aspirants, particularly excessive nomination fees and non-transparent candidate selection procedures.
It also called on lawmakers to revisit policy proposals aimed at promoting affirmative action and providing institutional support mechanisms for women seeking elective positions.
“Democracy cannot reach its full potential when half of the population remains largely excluded from spaces where critical national decisions are made,” Oteri said.
“Nigerian women must not remain only voters in the democratic process; they must also be fully represented as leaders, lawmakers and architects of national policy.”
Safe political environment
The organisation further appealed to electoral institutions and security agencies to ensure that the political environment is safe and accessible for women, noting that female politicians often face intimidation and violence during electoral cycles.
Oteri emphasised that empowering women to participate fully in governance is not only a matter of fairness but also a democratic necessity for Nigeria’s development.
“As Nigeria navigates complex social and economic challenges, empowering women to participate fully in governance is essential for building a stronger, more inclusive nation,” he said.
The association therefore urged government institutions, political parties, civil society groups and citizens to work together to build a political system that reflects the strength, talent and aspirations of all Nigerians.