PRESS RELEASE
Abuja,Nigeria
March 7, 2026
Centre LSD calls for Accelerated Action for Gender Justice - Marks 2026 International Women’s Day
As the world commemorates International Women’s Day 2026, the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) joins the global community in celebrating the resilience, leadership, and achievements of women while renewing calls for stronger action to advance gender justice, inclusion, and equality in Nigeria.
International Women’s Day provides an opportunity not only to celebrate progress but also to reflect on the persistent structural barriers that continue to limit the full participation of women in governance, economic life, and community decision-making.
Across Nigeria, women remain underrepresented in political leadership, face economic inequalities, and are disproportionately affected by poverty, climate change, and insecurity. Addressing these challenges requires deliberate policies, inclusive institutions, and sustained social action.
Centre LSD for over a decade, has worked with women’s groups, youth movements, civil society organizations, and public institutions to promote inclusive governance and strengthen women’s voices in decision-making processes. It particularly worked through initiatives such as the Side-by-Side Movement (SBS) for Gender Justice, and the Male Feminist Network (MFN) to mobilized faith leaders, community actors, and civil society organizations across Nigeria to challenge harmful gender norms, promote women’s rights, and support policies that advance equality.
The organization has also implemented programs that empower women and young people to participate in climate governance, natural resource management, and community development structures. In addition, Centre LSD continues to support women’s leadership in emerging governance frameworks, including community-based institutions established under Nigeria’s natural resource governance reforms. By providing capacity-building, mentorship, and policy engagement platforms, the organization works to ensure that women play meaningful roles in shaping development priorities and monitoring accountability at community and national levels.
A statement by the Executive Director of Centre LSD, Mr. Monday Osasah emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved without gender equality. “Gender justice is not only a moral imperative but also a development necessity. When women participate fully in leadership, governance, and economic life, communities become more resilient, institutions become more accountable, and societies become more prosperous.
Our collective responsibility is to dismantle the structural barriers that continue to exclude women and girls.” As Nigeria commemorates International Women’s Day 2026, Centre LSD calls on government institutions, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society organizations to strengthen commitments toward gender-responsive policies, increased investment in women’s empowerment, and stronger accountability mechanisms to protect the rights of women and girls.
The statement encourages communities, traditional institutions, and faith leaders to continue promoting positive social norms that uphold dignity, equality, and shared leadership between women and men, as it reaffirms its commitment to working with partners across Nigeria and globally to advance a society where women and girls can thrive, lead, and contribute fully to national development
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