‘Inequalities persist due to insufficient action’

In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2025, a nongovernmental organisation, DorcasGrace Community Initiative, has stated that the journey toward gender equality is far from over, adding that there is need for urgent and decisive steps to dismantle the barriers that continue to hinder women’s progress across all spheres of life.

According to the organisation, “the realities of today reveal that many women and girls still face discrimination, limited access to education, economic disparity, gender-based violence and social exclusion. These inequalities persist not because of a lack of awareness but because of insufficient action. Now more than ever, we must shift from rhetoric to tangible, impactful change…it is time to accelerate action!

“Accelerating Action means ensuring that every woman, regardless of background, has the right to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities; It means that policies and laws protecting women from violence and discrimination are not just enacted but enforced; it means dismantling systemic barriers that hinder women from taking leadership roles in politics, business, and society at large.

It added that though women’s representation in political arenas has seen progress, yet disparities remain, noting that globally, women occupy approximately 26 percent of parliamentary seats but “in Nigeria however, women’s political participation has been historically low, with women holding about 6.7 percent of parliamentary seats as at 2023. Enhancing women’s involvement in politics is essential for inclusive governance and equitable policy-making,” it added.

“Furthermore, though women’s entrepreneurship has experienced notable growth, challenges persist in accessing venture capital. In Europe, only one percent of exclusively female-founded teams received funding in 2024. Despite these hurdles, research indicates that female-led tech teams deliver 35 percent higher returns on investment compared to their male counterparts. Addressing funding biases and supporting women entrepreneurs can significantly boost economic growth and national security.

“It should be noted that despite the fact that women have made strides in corporate leadership, the glass ceiling persists as women remain underrepresented in critical revenue-impacting roles that lead to top executive positions. Addressing these disparities therefore requires organizational commitment to diversity and inclusive promotion practices,” it said.

According to DorcasGrace Community Initiative, one of the critical foundations of all these challenges is the patriarchal systems, which continue to influence societal norms, limiting women’s rights and opportunities. Challenging these structures therefore involves cultural reorientation, legal reforms, and promotion of gender-sensitive education to foster equality and respect for women’s contributions.

“It is therefore critical to integrating gender perspectives into all levels of policy-making to ensure that women’s and men’s concerns are equally considered. This approach leads to more effective and equitable outcomes in health, education, and economic policies. At DorcasGrace Community Initiative, we are taking bold steps by advocating for equal opportunities, empowering women economically, ending Gender-Based Violence as well as educating the Next Generation: We believe that empowering young girls with knowledge, mentorship, and leadership training is a direct investment in a better future for all.

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