Outcome NGA_D_3.4

Gender equality and human rights of women, youth, and other marginalized groups including PLWD in Nigeria are enhanced

Nigeria has implemented several legal and policy frameworks aimed at promoting gender balance in decision-making institutions and processes. These include the National Gender Policy (2006), which provides strategic guidance for gender mainstreaming across all sectors and addresses socioeconomic inequalities, and the Revised National Gender Policy (2021-2026), which further emphasizes creating a just, inclusive society with a focus on gender equality and women's empowerment. International commitments, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified in 1985, and the Beijing Platform for Action (1995), outline actionable steps toward achieving gender equality and women's empowerment. Similarly, Nigeria's adherence to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 5 demonstrate its commitment to eliminating gender disparities and empowering women and girls. Domestically, the National Policy on Women (2000) incorporates affirmative action, promoting a 30% increase in women's political participation. These collective efforts signify Nigeria's strides in enhancing women's representation and fostering gender equality in decision-making institutions and processes.

Gender equality and human rights of women, youth, and other marginalized groups including PLWD in Nigeria are enhanced

In 2025, progress toward enhancing gender equality and the human rights of women, youth, and other marginalized groups in Nigeria remained incremental, within a context of persistent structural and social barriers. Nationally, harmful practices continue to affect women and girls, with 16 per cent of women aged 20–24 having been married before age 15, based on the latest available national data, indicating that prevalence levels remain above the 2027 target. Women’s political representation also remains low, with women holding approximately 3.8 per cent of seats in the national parliament and 4.1 per cent in state legislative assemblies, while eight states meet the threshold of at least 30 per cent female representation in State Executive Councils, and women account for 16 per cent of ministerial positions at the federal level. Within this context, UN Women Nigeria focused on strengthening policy, legal, and institutional pathways to advance gender equality, inclusion, and rights protection. Progress included support to the adoption and advancement of gender-responsive strategies and policy frameworks, increased momentum toward legal and policy reforms promoting gender balance in decision-making, and strengthened engagement to integrate gender equality targets within national investment and financing frameworks. UN Women Nigeria also supported the use of gender data and statistics to inform policy and planning processes, contributing to improved evidence-based decision-making.

Gender equality and human rights of women, youth, and other marginalized groups including PLWD in Nigeria are enhanced

During the reporting year, women's rights and gender equality were advanced in specific states. Costed action model plans for implementation of VAPP laws were developed in Adamawa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Sokoto, and Lagos states. The action plans were signed and gazetted for implementation by the governments of Cross River and Adamawa states. Engagements are ongoing to sign and gazette them in Lagos, Ebonyi and Sokoto states. Further, women's rights to gender-responsive and more accountable systems increased. This followed the passage of the Prohibition of Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions Bill by the National Assembly - awaiting assent by the president to become law. State legislators in Kwara and Kaduna adopted the draft GEOB and made commitments to pass it into law. Similarly, the GEOB after numerous efforts, passed second reading during the 9th National Assembly in May 2023.