The Federal Government and stakeholders have called for renewed commitment towards advancing women’s rights, economic empowerment and inclusive development as Nigeria hosted its first Pan-African Women’s Day celebration.

The event, held in Abuja, brought together policymakers, development partners, diplomats, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and women leaders to reflect on the progress, challenges and opportunities in promoting gender equality across Africa.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who spoke at the celebration, said African women must leverage collective strength and partnerships to drive meaningful transformation on the continent.

According to Sulaiman-Ibrahim, achieving sustainable development in Africa requires deliberate investment in women’s political participation, economic inclusion and social empowerment.

She said, “We rise as one because our collective strength is greater than our individual differences. The future of Africa depends on women who are empowered economically, politically and socially.”

The minister noted that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had continued to place women at the centre of national development through policy reforms, empowerment programmes and initiatives aimed at addressing gender-related barriers.

She said the National Gender Profile and the Gender Roadmap to 2030 were among efforts by the government to provide reliable data for evidence-based planning and the implementation of gender-responsive policies.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that the government was also strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to promote the rights and wellbeing of women and girls.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD), Dr. Adebayo Benjamins-Laniyi, described the maiden celebration as a historic milestone in Nigeria’s gender advocacy journey.

Benjamins-Laniyi said the event went beyond a ceremonial gathering, stressing that it provided an opportunity for stakeholders to renew commitments towards building a continent where women are empowered to contribute meaningfully to development.

She noted that the celebration was aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Maputo Protocol, adding that Nigeria remained committed to advancing women’s leadership, economic inclusion and gender equality.

The Director-General said activities marking the celebration included policy dialogues, health awareness campaigns, economic empowerment sessions, leadership engagements and an international gender conference focused on advancing the African women’s agenda.

Pan-African Women’s Day is commemorated annually on July 31 to mark the establishment of the Pan-African Women’s Organisation (PAWO) in 1962 and recognise the contributions of African women to liberation movements, nation-building and continental development.