IWD 2026: Lagos reaffirms commitment to women’s empowerment

*Says stakeholders must move beyond rethoric in womens empowerment

Lagos State government on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to protecting women’s rights, ensuring justice, and promoting economic empowerment.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said this at the Year 2026 International Women’s Day Celebration, themed:”Rights, Justice, Action, For All Women and Girls” #Give to Gain, organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos Island.

The governor said the theme challenged all to move beyond rhetoric, emphasizing that women’s rights are constitutional obligations and that justice must be accessible and survivor-centered as gender protection remains embedded under the THEMES PLUS agenda.

In her address, the First Lady of Lagos State, Doctor Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said the event was to recognise the strength of women to the growth and development of the nation to building a more just and inclusive society stating that they must be giving opportunity to grow.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Cecilia Dada, emphasized the need for collective action to protect women’s rights, ensure justice, and empower women and girls while highlighting the state’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for women and girls.

TheGuest Speaker at the event, Lateefat Oluyemi, urged women to be focused and make sacrifices for their children especially the girl child to be educated and should not allow any circumstances to stop them from achieving their aims as the Lagos State government was committed to the protection of their
rights.

She also harped on the need for child rights acts to be enshrined and for policies to reflect value while calling for more protection and justice to be accessible for women against violence.
Present at the event were lawmakers, political appointees and policies, community and religious leaders, state government officials among other dignitaries.