Post by Edobong Akpabio (@edobongakpabio)
IWD 2026: The Conversation Continues
Today is International Women's Day (IWD), a day set aside by the UN to celebrate & make visible the achievements of women & to continue the advocacy for accelerated gender equity. So, like other years since 1911, we carry on the gender conversation with the theme: Rights, Justice & Action.
On Friday 6th March, the management & staff of Koins Microfinance Bank invited me to speak at their IWD 2026 event. My presentation was in the context of working women.
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Edobong Akpabio: As a foundation to this discussion, I've been supporting the efforts of the numerous individuals & groups for women economic empowerment, gender equity and collective advocacy on gender issues for almost 20 years now. My modest volunteer work with organizations such as NECA's Network of Entrepreneur...
Edobong Akpabio: Key Quotes!!!
"In Nigeria, Africa's largest and most populous country, more women are engaging in work than ever before." (World Bank, 2016)
"In Nigeria, women represent 55% of workers at the entry level, with only a slight decline to 49% at senior leadership. More women are entering the Nigerian...
"In Nigeria, Africa's largest and most populous country, more women are engaging in work than ever before." (World Bank, 2016)
"In Nigeria, women represent 55% of workers at the entry level, with only a slight decline to 49% at senior leadership. More women are entering the Nigerian...
Edobong Akpabio: "However, women in the Nigerian workplace face significant challenges rooted in deep-seated gender discrimination, including unequal pay, limited access to leadership positions, and pervasive sexual harassment." (NJO, 2022)
Even with all the efforts and contributions made by women in the workplace...
Even with all the efforts and contributions made by women in the workplace...
Edobong Akpabio: Women's Rights are Human Rights!!!
“Human rights are the inalienable, universal, and indivisible rights inherent to all individuals regardless of status, including life, liberty, freedom from torture, and equality before the law. These fundamental standards, protected by international and national l...
“Human rights are the inalienable, universal, and indivisible rights inherent to all individuals regardless of status, including life, liberty, freedom from torture, and equality before the law. These fundamental standards, protected by international and national l...
Edobong Akpabio: In Nigeria, for instance, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as other international conventions that Nigeria is a signatory to, provide for the rights of women in the work place.
1. Right to Equality & Non-Discrimination (Section 42 of the Constitution & the Labour Act) -...
1. Right to Equality & Non-Discrimination (Section 42 of the Constitution & the Labour Act) -...
Edobong Akpabio: 2. Right to Equal Remuneration
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) upholds the principle of equal pay for equal work of equal value without discrimination on account of sex or other grounds, derived from Section 17(3)(e) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and reinforced by Internation...
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) upholds the principle of equal pay for equal work of equal value without discrimination on account of sex or other grounds, derived from Section 17(3)(e) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and reinforced by Internation...
Edobong Akpabio: 3. Right to Maternity Protection
Section 54 of the Nigerian Labour Act guarantees women in formal employment 12 weeks of paid maternity leave (at least 50% salary), with six weeks typically taken before and six weeks after confinement, with the possibility of extension. It is illegal to dismiss a wo...
Section 54 of the Nigerian Labour Act guarantees women in formal employment 12 weeks of paid maternity leave (at least 50% salary), with six weeks typically taken before and six weeks after confinement, with the possibility of extension. It is illegal to dismiss a wo...
Edobong Akpabio: 4. Right to Protection against Harassment
Women in Nigeria are protected against workplace harassment through the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015, which criminalizes sexual harassment, and Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits gender-based discrimination. Victim...
Women in Nigeria are protected against workplace harassment through the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) 2015, which criminalizes sexual harassment, and Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits gender-based discrimination. Victim...
Edobong Akpabio: What about Justice for Women in the Workplace?
“Justice is the process or result of using laws to fairly dispense cases, redress wrongs, and punish crimes. Justice ensures that people are treated impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably by the law and where harm is alleged, provision is made fo...
“Justice is the process or result of using laws to fairly dispense cases, redress wrongs, and punish crimes. Justice ensures that people are treated impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably by the law and where harm is alleged, provision is made fo...
Edobong Akpabio: Nigeria has revalidated its National World of Work Gender Policy, supported by the ILO and Oxfam in Nigeria, to promote equality, close the gender pay gap, and create safe, inclusive workplaces. Validated in late 2025, this policy aligns with global standards like ILO Convention 190 to eliminate vio...