Empowerment Through Accountability: Accelerating Action for Nigerian Women (IWD 2025)

Oge-Ali Green Chizoba Esq.

As we commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, we reflect on the theme “Accelerate Action” and its profound implications for women worldwide, particularly in Nigeria. The IWD 2025 overlaps with the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) which commences on 10th March, 2025 and will focus on reviewing the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, assessing contemporary challenges, and advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Despite significant international and regional commitments to protecting women’s rights, Nigeria continues to grapple with gender-based violence (GBV), femicide, economic marginalisation, and legal disparities that undermine the rights and dignity of women and girls. 

Lex Initiative for Rights, Advocacy and Development (LIRAD) remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing human rights and public interest lawyering for marginalised women, aligning with international human rights instruments and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Imperative of Legal Accountability in Advancing Women’s Rights

Empowerment is fundamentally linked to accountability—both at the individual level and within the broader legal and institutional framework. While self-accountability enables women to take ownership of their choices, true gender equality requires a robust legal framework that guarantees women’s rights, coupled with effective enforcement mechanisms.

Nigeria is a signatory to several international and regional conventions that mandate gender equality and the protection of women’s rights, yet the domestication and enforcement of these legal instruments remain inadequate. Key among these are:

• The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) – Ratified by Nigeria in 1985, CEDAW provides a comprehensive legal framework for eliminating discrimination against women. However, Nigeria has yet to fully domesticate it into national law, despite persistent advocacy from civil society.

• The Maputo Protocol (Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa) – This regional treaty, which Nigeria ratified in 2004, mandates states to take necessary legislative and policy measures to eliminate gender-based violence, ensure access to justice, and promote women’s socio-economic rights. Its full implementation remains critical.

• The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), 2015 – While this law represents a significant step in addressing gender-based violence, it has recently come under threat as a bill to repeal it has been brought to the National Assembly. There is a need to strengthen and preserve the Act in order not to roll back years of progress achieved in protecting women and children from violence. Urgent efforts are needed to ensure its amendment and enforcement across all Nigerian states.

• The Child Rights Act, 2003 – Protecting the rights of girls from forced marriage, sexual violence, and discrimination, this law has not been universally adopted by all Nigerian states, leaving many girls vulnerable to harmful practices.

Tackling Gender-Based Violence and Systemic Inequality

The recent surge in femicide and GBV in Nigeria underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and institutional accountability. While survivors of violence require immediate protection, justice, and rehabilitation, long-term change hinges on legal, educational, economic, and cultural interventions.

1. Strengthening Legal Frameworks and Enforcement

• The domestication of CEDAW and the full implementation of the Maputo Protocol are essential to ensuring that women’s rights are upheld in practice, not just in principle.

• The harmonisation of gender-related laws across Nigeria’s legal system would prevent contradictions and loopholes that allow perpetrators to evade justice.

• Judicial and law enforcement reforms are necessary to improve access to justice for survivors of GBV, ensuring swift prosecution of offenders and protection of victims.

2. Advancing Gender-Sensitive Education and Awareness

• Gender-sensitive curriculum should be integrated into educational institutions to challenge harmful stereotypes and discriminatory norms.

• Legal literacy programs must be expanded to educate women on their rights and the legal remedies available to them.

3. Enhancing Women’s Economic Empowerment

• Strengthening women’s land and property rights is crucial, as economic dependency often traps women in cycles of violence and exploitation.

• Expanding access to credit, financial services, and entrepreneurship opportunities can bolster women’s financial independence.

4. Engaging Men and Boys in the Movement for Gender Equality

• Transforming patriarchal attitudes requires active participation from men and boys in advocacy campaigns and community dialogue.

• Legal measures should be coupled with social interventions to promote gender-equitable norms in homes, schools, and workplaces.

The Role of CSW69 in Driving Global and National Commitments

The CSW69 conference presents an opportunity for Nigeria to reaffirm its commitments to international frameworks and accelerate action toward gender equality. Key areas of focus should include:

1. Developing a National Action Plan for the Full Domestication of CEDAW – Nigeria must prioritise enacting a comprehensive legal framework that aligns with its international obligations.

2. Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms for GBV Response – This includes funding women’s shelters, enhancing police and judicial response mechanisms, and integrating GBV services into national healthcare systems.

3. Enhancing Data Collection and Accountability Mechanisms – Accurate data on GBV and gender disparities is essential for crafting effective policies and holding institutions accountable.

Conclusion: Toward a Future of Gender Justice and Equality

As we observe International Women’s Day 2025, we honor the resilience and strength of Nigerian women who continue to advocate for their rights despite systemic barriers. Accountability at all levels—individual, institutional, and governmental—is the cornerstone of empowerment. By ensuring the full domestication and enforcement of gender-inclusive laws, Nigeria can accelerate the journey toward a society where every woman and girl lives free from violence, discrimination, and inequality.

At LIRAD, we remain unwavering in our advocacy for legal reforms, access to justice, and sustainable development initiatives that uphold the rights of Nigerian women. Together, through collective action and legal accountability, we can transform aspirations of gender equality into a lived reality for all.

Towards Beijing +30: Amplifying Marginalised Voices to End Violence Against Women and Girls

By Green Chizoba.O, Esq

As the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, we are reminded of the promises made nearly three decades ago at the historic Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. The 2024 United Nations UNiTE Campaign theme, “Towards Beijing +30: UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls,” is a call to reignite global commitments to ending gender-based violence in all its forms.

However, as we reflect on progress made, we must confront an uncomfortable truth: many women, particularly those on the margins, have been left behind in this journey.

At the heart of this year’s campaign theme is an urgent demand for inclusivity. Ending violence against women and girls must mean ending violence against all women and girls, including those whose identities and circumstances place them at the intersections of multiple forms of discrimination. Women living with HIV, women with disabilities, women who use drugs, LBQTI women, and sex workers are among those most vulnerable to violence, yet their experiences are often sidelined in mainstream advocacy.

The Marginalised Majority

The Executive Director of LIRAD eloquently captured the gravity of this crisis in her address today, highlighting the unique barriers faced by marginalised women in Nigeria, West Africa, and across the African continent.

For women living with HIV, stigma often translates into violence from intimate partners, discrimination in healthcare, and social exclusion. Women with disabilities face disproportionately high rates of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, often from those entrusted with their care. Women who use drugs and sex workers are criminalised and stigmatised, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, extortion, and violence from law enforcement and clients alike. LBQTI women endure hate crimes and systemic rejection, frequently exacerbated by laws and cultural norms that criminalise their identities.

These groups are not small minorities. They represent millions of women whose stories are silenced, whose struggles are neglected, and whose safety and dignity are routinely violated.

UNiTE to End Marginalisation

The UNiTE campaign’s 2024 focus on Beijing +30 offers a critical opportunity to amplify the voices of marginalised women and advocate for systemic change. We cannot truly commemorate the legacy of Beijing if we fail to address the specific realities of those most at risk of violence.

As the Executive Director of LIRAD pointed out, violence against marginalised women is not just physical—it is systemic, institutional, and deeply embedded in social norms, laws, and policies that exclude them. This year’s theme compels us to move beyond surface-level solutions and tackle the root causes of this violence, including structural inequalities and cultural attitudes that perpetuate stigma and silence.

Actions Towards Beijing +30

To align with the 2024 UNiTE Campaign, LIRAD is championing a multi-pronged approach to ending violence against marginalised women and girls:

1. Advocacy for Inclusive Policies: Stronger laws and policies that address the intersecting vulnerabilities of marginalised women, such as those living with HIV, women with disabilities, and sex workers.

2. Community-Led Prevention Programmes: Initiatives that challenge harmful societal norms and empower women to lead efforts in their own communities.

3. Investment in Support Services: Expanding access to survivor-centred healthcare, legal aid, and psychosocial support that addresses the unique needs of marginalised groups.

4. Education and Awareness Campaigns: Shifting societal attitudes through education on the human rights of all women, particularly those facing intersecting barriers.

Towards a Truly Inclusive Future

As we approach Beijing +30, let us ensure that the global movement to end violence against women is truly inclusive. The promise of Beijing was a world where all women could live free from violence, regardless of their identities, circumstances, or the barriers they face. Achieving this vision requires us to centre the voices of marginalised women and work tirelessly to dismantle the systems that oppress them.

At LIRAD, we are committed to this fight. We believe that no woman—whether living with HIV, with disabilities, who uses drugs, identifies as LBQTI, or works as a sex worker—should ever face violence, stigma, or exclusion.

The 2024 UNiTE campaign reminds us that this is a collective responsibility. Together, we must amplify the voices of those most affected, break the barriers that hold them back, and build a future where every woman and girl is safe, empowered, and heard.

Together, we can UNiTE to end violence against women and girls—for good.

Let us honour the legacy of Beijing by turning words into action, promises into progress, and silence into solidarity.

Human Trafficking and Intersectionality: Why Marginalized Women Are at Greater Risk By Augusta Yaakugh Esq. and Green Chizoba, .O, Esq.

Human trafficking is a global crisis that continues to strip millions of individuals, particularly women, of their freedom, dignity, and opportunities. While all women face varying degrees of risk, marginalized women—those affected by poverty, disability, sexual orientation, and gender discrimination—bear the brunt of this exploitative system. Understanding the intersectionality of these factors is crucial in developing effective strategies to combat trafficking and ensure no one is left behind.

The Intersectionality of Vulnerability

Intersectionality, a concept coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, recognizes how various forms of inequality intersect to compound the challenges faced by individuals. In the context of human trafficking, marginalized women often exist at the crossroads of multiple vulnerabilities, making them prime targets for traffickers.

  1. Poverty: Economic hardship is one of the leading drivers of trafficking. Women from low-income backgrounds are often lured by promises of employment, only to be exploited in forced labor or commercial sex. For many, the need to support their families outweighs the risks, leaving them susceptible to deception and coercion.
  2. Disability: Women living with disabilities face unique challenges that traffickers exploit. Limited access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities increases their vulnerability. In some cases, traffickers capitalize on societal neglect and the mistaken belief that women with disabilities are less likely to report abuse.
  3. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: LBQ (lesbian, bisexual, and queer) women often face social stigma, family rejection, and systemic discrimination. Many are forced to leave their homes and communities, making them vulnerable to trafficking networks. Their marginalization also means they are less likely to access justice or support services.
  4. Gender Discrimination: Deeply entrenched patriarchal norms and gender inequality continue to place women at a disadvantage. In societies where women’s rights are undervalued, traffickers exploit the systemic devaluation of women’s labor and autonomy to fuel their operations.

Lex Initiative’s Intersectional Feminist Approach

Recognizing these intersecting vulnerabilities, Lex Initiative adopts an intersectional feminist approach to combat human trafficking. Our advocacy goes beyond addressing trafficking as a standalone issue—it focuses on the systemic inequalities that enable it to thrive.

  1. Empowering Marginalized Women: Through socio-economic programs, we equip women with skills, resources, and opportunities to break free from cycles of exploitation. Initiatives like business registration support and financial literacy training help women attain economic independence, reducing their susceptibility to trafficking.
  2. Legal Advocacy for Justice: Lex Initiative offers pro bono legal services and conducts legal education sessions to ensure marginalized women know their rights and have access to justice. Our work with women in prisons—many of whom are victims of trafficking—highlights the importance of decriminalizing survival activities like sex work or drug-related offenses.
  3. Intersectional Awareness in Legal Representation: By training female lawyers and paralegals in gender-responsive and intersectional advocacy, we ensure that legal practitioners understand the unique challenges faced by marginalized women. This approach amplifies the voices of those often silenced and ensures equitable representation in legal processes.
  4. Community-Based Interventions: Our LILO (Looking In, Looking Out) Inclusion Workshops foster self-advocacy and agency among marginalized groups, building resilience and empowering participants to lead the fight against trafficking in their communities.

The Way Forward: Advocacy and Collective Action

To effectively combat human trafficking, we must address its root causes and dismantle the systems of inequality that sustain it. Governments, civil society organizations, and individuals must collaborate to:

  • Strengthen policies that protect marginalized women and ensure traffickers are held accountable.
  • Invest in education and economic opportunities for women in vulnerable communities.
  • Challenge societal norms that perpetuate gender inequality and discrimination.

At Lex Initiative, we believe that ending human trafficking is not just about rescuing victims; it’s about creating a society where no woman is ever at risk. By adopting an intersectional feminist approach, we are not only addressing the symptoms of trafficking but also uprooting the systemic injustices that allow it to persist.

On Anti-Trafficking Day, let us renew our commitment to justice, dignity, and equality for all women. Together, we can break the chains of exploitation and build a world where every woman can thrive.

About the Authors:
Augusta Yaakugh Esq. and Green Chizoba, .O, Esq. are passionate advocates for human rights and intersectional justice. As legal practitioners with Lex Initiative, they work to empower marginalized women and combat systemic inequalities that fuel trafficking.

The Legal Challenges Trans Women Face in Navigating the Justice System in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the justice system is complex and multifaceted, with deep-seated cultural, religious, and socio-legal factors influencing the experiences of those who seek its services. For trans women, navigating this system poses significant challenges, exacerbated by existing biases, inadequate legal frameworks, and systemic discrimination. This article explores the legal barriers trans women face in accessing justice in Nigeria and highlights potential pathways for reform to ensure that justice is inclusive and equitable.

One of the foremost challenges for trans women in Nigeria is the absence of legal recognition for their gender identity. The Nigerian legal system, rooted in traditional and colonial-era statutes, does not provide mechanisms for gender recognition beyond the binary framework of male and female as defined at birth. This means that trans women cannot change their legal documents to reflect their gender identity, leading to significant complications in matters such as employment, housing, healthcare access, and participation in legal processes. The lack of legal identity further entrenches stigma and exposes trans women to misgendering and humiliation when interacting with authorities or accessing public services.

2. Discriminatory Laws and Policies

Nigeria’s legal landscape includes laws that criminalise same-sex relationships and gender non-conformity. The Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2014 criminalises not only marriages but any public display of same-sex relationships or participation in LGBTQI+ associations. Although this law does not specifically target trans individuals, its broad and ambiguous language is often used as a tool for discrimination against trans women under the guise of maintaining “public morality.”

Additionally, various state laws include provisions derived from Sharia law, which criminalise cross-dressing and gender non-conformity, with severe penalties including imprisonment or corporal punishment. Such laws create a hostile environment where trans women risk arrest and violence simply for expressing their identity.

Access to competent and non-discriminatory legal representation is another significant hurdle for trans women. Many legal practitioners in Nigeria may lack awareness of trans-specific issues or hold personal biases that impact their willingness to provide effective representation. The fear of stigma or reprisals further deters trans women from seeking legal assistance. Public defenders, already stretched thin due to high caseloads and limited resources, may be less equipped or motivated to handle cases involving trans women sensitively and effectively.

Moreover, the absence of comprehensive training in gender diversity and LGBTQI+ rights within the legal community perpetuates a cycle of ignorance and neglect. Trans women who come into contact with the justice system, whether as defendants, complainants, or victims, may be subjected to invasive questions, unfair treatment, or biased decision-making processes.

4. Harassment and Violence in Custody

Trans women often face significant risks when detained by law enforcement or imprisoned. Reports have shown that trans individuals in custody can be subjected to verbal abuse, physical violence, and sexual harassment by both law enforcement officers and fellow detainees. The absence of policies that recognise the unique needs of trans people in custody further compounds these issues, resulting in experiences marked by trauma and insecurity.

Prisons in Nigeria are typically segregated by sex, determined at birth, which means that trans women may be housed in male facilities, exposing them to heightened violence and abuse. This lack of safe, appropriate accommodations violates basic human rights and contravenes international human rights standards, including those outlined in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules).

5. Economic and Social Disadvantages

Legal challenges are intertwined with broader socio-economic disadvantages that disproportionately affect trans women. Limited access to education and employment due to discrimination often leaves trans women in vulnerable financial situations, making it harder to afford legal representation or navigate lengthy court processes. Stigma and societal rejection exacerbate isolation and poverty, pushing many trans women to the margins of society where their voices are unheard, and their experiences ignored.

Pathways to Reform

Addressing the legal challenges that trans women face requires a multi-faceted approach:

  1. Legal Gender Recognition: Advocacy for laws that allow individuals to amend their legal documents to reflect their gender identity is essential. Legal recognition would enable trans women to participate in society more fully and reduce the instances of discrimination they face.
  2. Anti-Discrimination Legislation: Enacting comprehensive anti-discrimination laws that include protections for gender identity would provide trans women with legal recourse when faced with unfair treatment or violence.
  3. Training for Legal Practitioners: Instituting gender diversity and sensitivity training for judges, lawyers, and law enforcement officers would help dismantle biases and ensure that trans women are treated with respect and dignity within the justice system.
  4. Safe Custodial Policies: Creating policies that ensure trans women are placed in safe, gender-affirming facilities while in custody is crucial for protecting their human rights.
  5. Community Support and Legal Aid: Strengthening networks that provide legal aid, psychological support, and advocacy for trans women can empower individuals to pursue justice without fear of reprisal.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by trans women in Nigeria’s justice system reflect broader societal biases that must be addressed to achieve true equality. Legal reform, inclusive policies, and an unwavering commitment to human rights are essential for creating a system where justice is not only accessible but equitable for all, regardless of gender identity. By acknowledging and tackling these challenges, Nigeria can move towards a fairer, more inclusive society.

Intersectional Feminism: The Role of Trans Women in Feminist Movements in Nigeria

In recent years, the concept of intersectional feminism has gained traction in global discourse as a more comprehensive framework for understanding and addressing gender-based inequality. Yet, in Nigeria, where systemic discrimination against women persists alongside deep-rooted cultural and societal challenges, the inclusion of trans women in feminist movements remains a contentious topic. As advocates for human rights and equality, we believe that embracing intersectional feminism—an approach that recognises the overlapping systems of oppression that affect different groups—offers a path towards more effective advocacy and unity in the fight for gender equality.

Understanding Intersectional Feminism

Intersectional feminism, a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, refers to the way various social identities—such as race, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity—intersect to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege. This approach challenges the traditional view of feminism that primarily centres on the experiences of cisgender, heterosexual women, highlighting that not all women face the same struggles or degrees of marginalisation.

In the Nigerian context, the intersectionality lens helps illustrate how gender inequality is compounded by cultural, religious, and socio-economic factors, and it pushes for a feminist movement that is inclusive of all who experience gender-based oppression. This includes trans women, who often face discrimination not only because of their gender identity but also due to the broader societal stigma associated with being LGBTQI+ in Nigeria.

The Reality for Trans Women in Nigeria

Trans women in Nigeria encounter multiple layers of marginalisation that transcend the typical challenges faced by cisgender women. These include discriminatory laws, limited access to healthcare, violence, and economic disenfranchisement. According to recent reports, trans individuals in Nigeria face heightened risks of physical and psychological violence and significant barriers to accessing basic human rights, such as healthcare and legal protections.

Excluding trans women from feminist spaces in Nigeria neglects the reality of their lived experiences and undermines the very foundation of the feminist movement: the belief in equal rights and opportunities for all women. Trans women are often at the frontlines of gender-based violence and discrimination, making their perspectives critical in conversations about safety, legal protections, and advocacy for gender equity.

Why Inclusion Matters

Some may argue that feminist advocacy in Nigeria should prioritise the experiences of cisgender women, who have historically borne the brunt of gender discrimination in society. While it is true that cisgender women face significant struggles, excluding trans women from feminist movements perpetuates a harmful hierarchy that suggests some experiences of womanhood are more valid than others. Intersectional feminism, by contrast, calls for solidarity that acknowledges and uplifts the voices of those who are doubly marginalised.

Including trans women in feminist movements strengthens collective advocacy by fostering solidarity across different experiences of oppression. When trans women are included, movements become richer in perspective, better equipped to address complex forms of discrimination, and more representative of the broader community of women. This inclusion can also lead to policy changes that reflect the needs of all women, contributing to a legal and social environment where justice and equity are prioritised.

The Role of Feminist Movements

For feminist movements in Nigeria to truly embody the principles of intersectional feminism, they must actively create spaces where trans women can share their stories, participate in advocacy efforts, and contribute to shaping the direction of gender equality work. This requires dismantling barriers to participation, fostering education around gender diversity, and challenging misconceptions that reinforce exclusion.

Moreover, collaboration between cis and trans women can lead to innovative solutions for shared challenges, such as fighting gender-based violence and advocating for equal access to healthcare. By amplifying the voices of trans women and recognising their role in feminist movements, we make strides towards an inclusive society where every woman’s rights are defended and upheld.

Conclusion

Intersectional feminism is not just an academic theory; it is a call to action that asks us to confront all forms of discrimination and to advocate for a world where everyone can live with dignity. The inclusion of trans women in feminist movements is an essential step in this direction. In Nigeria, where the struggle for gender equality is ongoing, intersectional feminism can be a transformative force that unites diverse voices and strengthens the collective push for justice.

We urge feminist leaders, advocates, and policymakers in Nigeria to embrace the principles of intersectional feminism and to recognise that the fight for gender equality must be inclusive. Only then can we build a movement that is reflective of all women’s realities and is equipped to challenge the structural inequalities that persist in our society.

Augusta Yaakugh Esq. and Green Chizoba Esq. are human rights lawyers and advocates for marginalised women.