By Omeiza Ajayi

ABUJA: Stakeholders have raised concerns over the persistent lack of appreciation for the critical roles women play within society, particularly regarding domestic responsibilities.

The views were expressed at an event in Abuja held to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Month, themed “Give to Gain.”

Organized by the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation through its Social Justice and Equity Programme, the event featured a special screening of the film ‘Aféfé’ in collaboration with the MTV Staying Alive Foundation (MTVSAF) and the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria.

The film explores the social norms and gendered expectations woven into daily life, drawing specific attention to the lopsided distribution of unpaid domestic work between men and women.

It further highlights how this inequality limits women’s economic opportunities and general wellbeing within African societies.

During a panel session, participants interrogated the structures sustaining gender inequality and explored more equitable alternatives for the future.

Speaking at the event, the Head of the Political Affairs Section at the Canadian High Commission, Mr. Omar Alihashi, noted that the initiative aimed to raise awareness regarding the indispensable contributions of women.

Alihashi stated: “I think that the issue is not just an issue for Nigeria, but it is a global problem. I think that gender equality and making sure that women have the same rights as men is something for all societies, not just Nigerian society. In short, it is not just a Nigerian issue. It is a global phenomenon.”

In her remarks, the Programme Manager for Governance and Civic Engagement at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, Lilian Mbaegbu, explained that the gathering focused on the often-invisible nature of women’s unpaid labour.

According to her, “Women all around the world, especially in our country, spend hours and hours of unpaid labour in the home, in the family. We are just raising awareness as to this roles, because sometimes it can go unnoticed. It can go unappreciated, it can go unobserved. So, we are raising awareness on the roles that women play in the home, in the society, and just how we can better encourage women to get involved in productive work aside from them being at home.”

Contributing to the discussion, Dr. Fatima Babari emphasized that despite serving as primary caregivers for their families, women remain highly underappreciated.

Suggesting ways to address the gap, she noted that, “the woman takes care of the house, she does laundry, she looks after the children, she cooks food for the family. So what we are trying to say is that the role that women play in the home should actually be seen and appreciated by everybody, by being monetized.”

Earlier, the Director of Finance at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, Babatunde Ahmadu, described the film ‘Aféfé’ (Wind) as a cinematic mirror reflecting the harsh realities of gendered expectations.

He noted that the unequal burden of unpaid care work continues to shape and often restrict women’s opportunities and overall wellbeing across various societies.