IWD: Amnesty International calls on Osun communities to champion women’s rights
…laments over implementation of laws protecting violence against women Marking the 2026 International Women’s Day, Amnesty International has called on communities in Osun State to act collectively against social, cultural,
…laments over implementation of laws protecting violence against women
Marking the 2026 International Women’s Day, Amnesty International has called on communities in Osun State to act collectively against social, cultural, and institutional obstacles that limit women’s access to justice.
The human rights organisation also engaged the Olowaa of Elefon-Owa, Aba Gboro, Oba Adetunji Adebola, urging stakeholders to strengthen support systems that safeguard the rights and dignity of women and girls.
Speaking during an outreach at Aba Gboro in Ife Central Local Government Area via Obafemi Awolowo University, State Coordinator of Amnesty International Nigeria Supporters Group, Joshua Oyebode, emphasised the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in society.
Oyebode noted that International Women’s Day provides an opportunity not only to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements but also to reflect on the persistent barriers that prevent many women and girls from enjoying justice, dignity, and full access to their rights.
According to him, “In Nigeria, these barriers extend beyond the legal system and are often embedded within social, traditional, religious, economic, and administrative structures that shape women’s everyday lives, underscoring the urgent need for stronger collective action to advance justice for women and girls.
“We came here to meet the people of Aba-gboro to talk to them about the right of women, girls and we look forward to an all encompassing approach whereby from the kids, up to the adults, we are able to engage them on the right of women and girls.”
Speaking about the 2026 theme of IWD tagged ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls’, stressed that “we cannot get justice by just wishing for it. We have to walk towards it, saying “One of the steps we have to take is to engage communities like this on how they can address issues of right violations to women and girls. Tell them about the appropriate steps they can take when issues like gender-based violence or sexual violence arise.”
He lamented that despite laws in Nigeria that deal with the protection of the right of women from the Nigeria's constitution to the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act across other legislations, implementation remains big challenge.
“I must admit that we have a wild gulf between these laws and their implementation. Nigeria has more of an implementation problem and we have to fix that through engagement like this and others.”
Oba Adebola assured that he will use his traditional stool to uphold right of women and ensure that laws protecting the women and girl child are implemented without bias.
