IWD: The quiet sacrifices that shape women’s progress

Long before society celebrates women’s achievements, countless sacrifices have already been made quietly in homes, communities, and places of service. Behind every confident woman, every professional milestone, and every societal breakthrough are stories of resilience, endurance, and sacrifice that often remain unseen. The progress women enjoy today was not built overnight; it was earned through years of determination, discipline, and selfless giving.

This is why the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, “Give to Gain” carries profound meaning. It reminds us that true progress requires investment. Every meaningful gain in society is preceded by individuals who were willing to give something of themselves for the benefit of others. For many women, that spirit of sacrifice begins within the home.

I witnessed this deeply through my mother’s life. After the passing of my father at an early stage in our lives, she was faced with the immense responsibility of raising four children under circumstances that could easily have broken the strongest resolve. Yet she rose above the challenge with remarkable courage.

She sacrificed her personal comfort, her ambitions, and much of her own life in order to ensure that her children would have opportunities for a better future. What made her sacrifice even more profound was that her compassion extended beyond her own children. She cared for and supported other children who were not biologically hers, embracing them with the same sense of responsibility.

Looking back today, I understand that her sacrifices were acts of quiet leadership. They built a foundation of resilience and possibility that shaped the lives of everyone she nurtured. Across Nigeria and indeed across the world, similar stories unfold daily. Mothers make extraordinary sacrifices so that their children may rise beyond the limitations they themselves faced. Yet the spirit of sacrifice among women extends far beyond the home.

Across the country, women in uniform serving in the armed forces, paramilitary institutions, and law enforcement agencies in one which I serve, continue to demonstrate courage and patriotism in ways that often go unnoticed. In their commitment to national service, many endure long separations from their families, demanding working conditions, significant personal risks and even death.

Their sacrifices are made in the interest of something greater than themselves the safety, stability, and future of the nation. These women embody a powerful reminder that service, patriotism, and courage are not defined by gender. However, while reflecting on the sacrifices that have shaped the past and strengthened the present, it is equally important that society pays attention to the evolving narratives influencing the next generation.

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In recent times, particularly within digital spaces, certain troubling trends have begun to emerge among some segments of young women. The pursuit of visibility and social recognition sometimes appears to overshadow the pursuit of knowledge, dignity, and meaningful impact. Public conversations occasionally promote narratives that reduce the value of womanhood to spectacle rather than substance. Even more concerning is the gradual normalisation of such narratives under the banner of empowerment. Yet empowerment cannot thrive where intellectual growth, self-respect, and purpose are absent.

When influence becomes detached from values, younger girls may begin to inherit a distorted understanding of success. Instead of seeing education, competence, and character as pathways to progress, they may come to believe that attention alone defines relevance. Such distortions risk deepening divisions within society, contributing to the increasing tensions often described as gender conflicts. But progress has never flourished in an atmosphere of hostility. Sustainable development requires collaboration of men and women working together with mutual respect, recognizing that the success of one strengthens the future of all.

This is where the deeper message of “Give to Gain” becomes particularly important. True empowerment requires women to invest in themselves through learning, discipline, and intellectual development. It requires the courage to build influence on substance rather than spectacle. And it requires the commitment to model values that younger generations can confidently emulate. Because every generation of women quietly teaches the next generation what womanhood represents.

If society celebrates visibility without value, the next generation may inherit fragile definitions of success. But when women invest in knowledge, dignity, resilience, and leadership, they create a legacy that strengthens the path for girls who dare to dream. And those dreamers deserve recognition.

Across communities, many women and girls continue to pursue their aspirations with determination despite obstacles. Their journeys require sacrifices that may not always be visible to the public eye, long hours of study, perseverance through societal pressures, and the courage to rise beyond limitations. Their sacrifices are real. Their aspirations are valid. And their efforts deserve to be acknowledged.

We must also honour the remarkable women who paved the way before us the trailblazers, mentors, and leaders who challenged barriers when opportunities were far fewer. These women, often described as Amazons, demonstrated strength and vision that opened doors for future generations. Because they dared to stand firm in difficult times, many of the opportunities available today now exist. Ultimately, the future of women’s empowerment will not be determined solely by campaigns or commemorations. It will be shaped by the values women choose to embody and the examples they set for those who follow.

The theme “Give to Gain” reminds us that lasting progress requires intentional investment in character, knowledge, discipline, and integrity. When women commit themselves to these values, society gains something far more powerful than temporary recognition. It gains leaders who think critically, voices that inspire responsibly, and citizens capable of building stronger communities.

And in honouring the sacrifices of mothers, women in service, dreamers, and trailblazers, we are reminded that the true story of women’s progress has always been written not only in moments of celebration, but in the quiet sacrifices that shape the future for generations yet to come.