By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – Gender activist Freda Irabor has called for an end to patriarchy in Nigeria, arguing that systemic gender inequality stifles the country’s development.

At the launch of her book, The Audacity of Feminism in a Patriarchal System Like Nigeria, Irabor stressed that gender equality is not solely a women’s issue but a struggle for humanity and justice.

The event featured prominent voices in gender advocacy, urging the dismantling of systemic barriers, promoting girls’ education, and increasing women’s political participation.

Irabor traced the roots of gender inequality to Nigeria’s colonial era, noting how deep-seated cultural and religious beliefs perpetuate bias against women. She asserted that Nigeria cannot progress meaningfully while half its population remains marginalized.

She stated, “Gender equality is not just a women’s issue, but a fight for humanity and justice. This work is a call to action—a challenge for women to reclaim their power and for men to step up as allies. It demands justice, pleads for progress, and envisions an inclusive future.”

Describing her book, she said, “It tells the stories of women who have defied the odds and dared to rise despite a system designed to keep them down. It is a manifesto for the girl child who dreams beyond societal limitations and for a future where gender does not determine destiny.”

Other speakers echoed Irabor’s sentiments, urging women to reclaim their power and encouraging men to become allies in the fight for gender equality.