Women Affairs Ministry Hosts Global Dialogue On Gender Equality At CSW70
Nigeria Marks Women’s Day at Global Gender Summit
NIGERIA’S Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development hosted the second edition of Nigerian Women’s Day during the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, bringing together government officials, global leaders and members of the Nigerian diaspora to discuss progress on gender equality.
The event, organised under the leadership of the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, formed part of Nigeria’s participation in the annual United Nations gathering focused on advancing women’s rights worldwide.
Held in New York City, the gathering drew a wide range of participants including policymakers, diplomats, civil society advocates, entrepreneurs and artists.
Among the high-level attendees was Amina J. Mohammed, alongside Nigerian government officials and representatives of international organisations.
Celebrating Progress and Renewed Commitment
The event was themed “31 Years of Progress, Resilience, Impact and Renewed Hope,” reflecting Nigeria’s efforts to assess progress since the adoption of global gender equality frameworks while renewing commitments to inclusive development.
Organisers said the celebration highlighted the role Nigerian women have played in leadership, innovation and community development both at home and abroad.
The programme featured a mix of policy dialogue, cultural showcases and networking sessions aimed at strengthening collaboration between stakeholders working on gender issues.
Women’s Leadership and Global Collaboration
Chair of the Board of Directors of Women Radio WFM 91.7, Toun Okewale Sonaiya, delivered the welcome address, setting the tone for the day’s discussions.
She emphasised the importance of strengthening women’s leadership and fostering international partnerships to advance gender equality.
According to Sonaiya, women must remain central to global development conversations, particularly in areas such as governance, innovation and economic empowerment.
The programme also featured the screening of a specially commissioned opening film highlighting stories of women’s leadership across sectors and borders.
Government’s Agenda for Women’s Empowerment
In her keynote remarks, Minister Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim outlined Nigeria’s policy direction on women’s empowerment, linking it to the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and its broader development priorities.
She highlighted the Renewed Hope Social Impact Interventions 774 (RH-SII-774) framework, a government initiative designed to expand social development programmes across Nigeria.
According to the minister, the initiative aims to reach women in all 774 local government areas of the country through targeted interventions.
The programmes focus on sectors including energy access, agriculture, digital inclusion, health and protection, creativity and innovation, leadership development, education, child development and family resilience.
Call for Concrete Action
Sulaiman-Ibrahim also issued a six-point call to action directed at governments, development partners and civil society organisations.
She urged stakeholders to increase investment in women-focused programmes, strengthen coordination among development partners and prioritise implementation of gender commitments.
The minister stressed that progress requires moving beyond policy declarations toward measurable outcomes that directly impact women and families.
Strengthening Nigeria’s Global Voice on Gender Equality
Participants at the event noted that gatherings such as the UN Commission on the Status of Women provide an important platform for countries to share experiences and develop partnerships aimed at accelerating gender equality.
For Nigeria, officials said the Nigerian Women’s Day celebration serves not only as a cultural showcase but also as an opportunity to highlight policy initiatives and engage with global stakeholders.
The ministry said it remains committed to ensuring that Nigerian women are active participants in shaping both national and international development agendas.
