By Zainab Faruk
The Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, in collaboration with the Office of the First Lady, has commemorated the 2026 International Women’s Day with a call for accelerated action toward gender equality, justice, and protection of women’s rights.
Speaking at the event, the Wife of the Bauchi State Governor, Aisha Bala Mohammed, said the occasion provided an opportunity to celebrate women’s contributions while addressing persistent challenges affecting them globally.
She noted that the theme of this year’s celebration, “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls,” underscores the urgent need for deliberate efforts to promote awareness, education, and meaningful reforms.
According to her, “No country in the world has achieved full equality between men and women. Women still face legal and social barriers in areas such as employment, property ownership, and safety.”
She stressed that having rights documented in law is not sufficient without effective justice systems to enforce them, adding that women continue to face discrimination, weak legal protections, and harmful cultural practices.
Citing a report by UN Women, the First Lady said it could take up to 286 years to close the global gap in legal protection for women if urgent actions are not taken.
She therefore called for the removal of discriminatory laws, an end to gender-based violence, and increased inclusion of women in leadership and decision-making processes.
To strengthen response mechanisms, she disclosed the establishment of a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response and Coordination Committee under her office.
“The committee brings together key stakeholders to ensure timely and effective response to GBV cases, providing survivors with shelter, confidentiality, medical care, legal assistance, counseling, and economic support,” she said.
The First Lady also reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of women and girls across the state.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development appreciated the First Lady for her consistent support to women-focused programmes, noting that her office has remained actively involved in all initiatives without hesitation.
She emphasized the importance of inclusiveness, stating that the gathering reflected unity among women and stakeholders regardless of social status.
The Commissioner also acknowledged the contributions of development partners, including United Nations agencies such as UNICEF, for their continued collaboration in advancing women and child development programmes in Bauchi State.
Highlighting the link between justice and peace, she remarked that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without fairness and equity.
“Everyone talks about peace, but justice must come first. Without justice, there can be no lasting peace. We are advocating equity—if men have 60 percent, women should have at least 40 percent,” she stated.
The event featured participation from government officials, civil society organisations, and international partners, all of whom reiterated their commitment to promoting gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls in the state.