PRESS RELEASE: INWOAD Advocates for Inclusion of More Women in Governance

IWD: INWOAD Advocates for Inclusion of More Women in Governance

The Initiative for Women's Accelerated Development in Africa, INWOAD joins women and all stakeholders to celebrate this year's International Women's Day. 

With the theme, Give to Gain, attention is being focused on the power of reciprocity and support in achieving gender equality and sustainable development. 

In a statement issued in Abuja by the President and Founder of the Initiative for Women's Accelerated Development in Africa, INWOAD, Evelyn Onyilo, the organisation called on individuals, government and organisations to rise up to contribute their quota by creating more opportunities for women through donations, skills acquisition and training, advocacy and intergenerational mentorship.

The INWOAD President also called on major stakeholders and partners to accelerate support in upholding Women's rights and access to justice especially as they relate to Sexual and Gender Based Violence stressing that most often, women and girls suffer injustice while perpetrators of such Violence go scot free.

Evelyn Onyilo decried the low representation of women in Nigeria’s political space and said the situation whereby women are excluded in governance and elective position is unacceptable and negates the principle of true democratic ideals.

She called on the National Assembly to pass the Special Seats Bill before it so as to bridge the gender gaps in politics. 

INWOAD also called on  governments at all levels to appoint more women into positions of governance as a mark of justice, equity and fairness which are the hallmarks of genuine democracy. 

"The current situation where less than five percent of women are in the National Assembly is grossly inadequate and unacceptable for a country that prides itself as the giant of Africa". 

While congratulating all women in celebrating the 2026 International Women's Day, Evelyn Onyilo enjoined women to be supportive of one another as the 2027 Elections draw nearer to ensure that women candidates are nominated and elected into various positions of authority.

E-Signed

Evelyn Hauwa Onyilo 

President/ Founder INWOAD 

Abuja

8th March 2026