International Women's Day 2026: Men's Rights Association calls on Government to implement gender-inclusive data collection systems

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has urged federal and state governments in Nigeria to tackle the challenges that restrict women's access to public information, thereby limiting their ability to fully exercise their right to information.

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This call to action was made by the organisation in a statement released in Lagos on Sunday, marking the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026.

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Ayomide Eweje, MRA Programme Officer, emphasized that meaningful progress for women in Nigeria will be difficult to achieve if barriers such as bureaucratic secrecy and limited access to public information continue to persist.

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Eweje noted that access to information is a critical tool that enables women to make informed decisions, claim their rights, and participate fully in social, economic, and political life, describing it as not just a legal right but also a vital component for survival, empowerment, and equality.

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According to Eweje, access to information plays a crucial role in improving the socio-economic status of women, particularly by enabling them to leverage digital tools for entrepreneurship, financial growth, and networking.

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She highlighted that access to information also facilitates women's ability to secure credit for small businesses and manage economic resources more effectively, while information networks can help bridge the gap for rural women who are often excluded from economic opportunities due to poor infrastructure and limited access to knowledge.

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Eweje stressed that access to accurate information is equally important in the health sector, particularly for women's reproductive health, as knowledge about reproductive healthcare services can help women ensure safe childbirth, reduce maternal mortality, and prevent unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections.

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She noted that access to information strengthens women's participation in democratic processes by enabling them to contribute to debates on socio-economic issues, demand accountability in the provision of public services, and make informed electoral choices.

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Eweje also underscored the role of information in helping survivors of abuse report crimes, obtain legal assistance, and access post-rape care, while emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and awareness of digital rights in protecting women from technology-facilitated violence.

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The digital space is increasingly being used to silence women, Eweje warned, citing incidents of online harassment, coordinated attacks on female journalists and civil society activists, which discourage women from participating in online discourse and limit their access to vital information.

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Despite the importance of access to information, many Nigerian women continue to face barriers, prompting Eweje to call on the Federal Government, the National Assembly, and state governments to adopt measures that guarantee the full realisation of women's information rights.

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Among the recommended measures, Eweje urged authorities to ensure the collection and publication of gender-disaggregated data, enabling public institutions to proactively disclose information reflecting the specific experiences and needs of women, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, health, and education.

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She also called on government and security agencies to protect women in digital spaces by prosecuting individuals who use technology to harass or silence them, and to utilise the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended, to protect citizens rather than suppress dissent.

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Eweje reaffirmed MRA's commitment to promoting an open society where Nigerian women can exercise their rights to access information, express themselves freely, and participate fully in national development without fear of harassment or institutional secrecy.