• AIHS seeks support for women in Africa’s construction sector
• LASG commits to women’s rights, empowerment

The Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has called for stronger action to protect the rights of women and girls.

It urged government institutions and the public to move beyond rhetoric and ensure the full implementation of laws and policies designed to safeguard women.

In a statement signed by its Founder and Chairperson, Funmi Falana (SAN), WELA said the yearly event to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026, themed “Rights, Justice, Action For All Women and Girls,” provides an opportunity to highlight the rights of women and girls and the urgent need to address persistent discrimination, violence and inequality affecting them.

WELA further drew attention to an initiative by the National Health Insurance Authority to provide free Caesarean Section services for pregnant women in more than 100 hospitals across the country.

Also, the Africa International Housing Show (AIHS) has called for increased support, deliberate policies and special privileges that will encourage more women to actively participate and thrive in Africa’s housing and construction industry.

Chief Executive Officer of AIHS, Festus Adebayo, who gave the charge yesterday, acknowledged the growing contributions of women across the housing value chain, including real estate development, architecture, urban planning, engineering, construction, building materials manufacturing, housing finance, and policy advocacy.

He said that though the housing and construction sector had traditionally been dominated by men, women across Africa have continued to demonstrate competence, leadership and innovation in delivering housing solutions and building sustainable communities.

Adebayo said that women had shown enormous capacity in shaping the housing sector across Africa.

He emphasised that empowering women in housing development would significantly contribute to addressing Africa’s housing deficit while strengthening economic growth and inclusive development.

Adebayo disclosed that as part of the commitment to gender inclusion, the AIHS had established a special platform known as the AIHS Women in Housing and Construction Day, designed to celebrate, empower and promote women professionals and entrepreneurs within the industry.

He, therefore, encouraged women professionals, developers, financiers, manufacturers and entrepreneurs in the housing and construction sector across Africa to take advantage of the opportunity.

Meanwhile, as the global community celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, Lagos State Government has doubled down on its commitment to gender equity, justice, and social investment.

The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Bolaji Cecilia Dada, said that investing in women is not merely a gesture of goodwill but a strategic economic necessity.

The commissioner, therefore, lauded the resilience, innovation, and enterprise of women in Lagos State, noting their indispensable roles in healthcare, education, technology and governance.

She, therefore, urged women across the state to remain proactive by engaging with the various government-led empowerment schemes designed for their advancement.