By Progress Godfrey

As the world marks International Women’s Day 2026, Founder of the Motivating African Youths Initiative (MAY-I), Dr Ogenna Walter-Ekwubiri has called for urgent action to turn the promise of gender equality into reality, stressing that symbolic gestures are no longer enough.

In a statement on Sunday, Walter-Ekwubiri said this year’s theme, ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,’ highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women and girls, particularly in Nigeria where women hold less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly and millions of girls still encounter barriers to education and opportunity.

Walter-Ekwubiri pointed to a growing wave of female leadership across Africa, noting that women are increasingly taking centre stage in entrepreneurship, education, and community development. She said this momentum demonstrates the transformative impact of empowering women with opportunity.

“At the Motivating African Youths Initiative (MAY-I) and through platforms such as World Women Leading Change Nigeria, we remain committed to empowering women and girls through mentorship, leadership development, and socio-economic empowerment initiatives that help unlock their potential.

“As we commemorate this important day, I call on governments, institutions, private sector leaders, and citizens to move beyond symbolic commitments and embrace policies and actions that ensure equal access to education, leadership opportunities, economic participation, and justice for all women and girls,” Walter-Ekwubiri said.

She emphasised that Africa’s future hinges on the empowerment of its women, arguing that when women rise, communities and nations prosper.

Walter-Ekwubiri urged policymakers and the private sector to take deliberate steps to create inclusive platforms that allow women and girls to thrive economically and socially.

“Africa’s future depends on the empowerment of her women. When women rise, communities flourish and nations prosper,” she added.

She therefore called on all sectors of society to commit to meaningful change that ensures gender equity now and for future generations.