Across Nigeria, women are breaking barriers, overcoming limitations, and challenging societal norms to build better lives for themselves and their families. This Women’s History Month, CS-SUNN honors the resilience of women like Tochukwu, Esther, and many others who, despite the odds, continue to champion their rights, advocate for equality, pursue economic empowerment, and demand access to proper nutrition and healthcare.
Women in professional spaces also face significant challenges.
Mrs. Tochukwu Tiku (RN) a young nurse manager in mental health, affirms that leadership roles are dominated by men, despite women making up most of the workforce in this field. “I had to work twice as hard to prove my competence, while less-experienced male colleagues were easily trusted. It was frustrating and made me question my place in leadership.
A defining moment came when I applied for a senior role but was overlooked for a less-qualified male candidate. I was told leadership in mental health required “strong authority”—a subtle suggestion that I, as a woman, lacked it. Instead of giving up, I sought mentorship, sharpened my skills, and advocated for fairer promotion policies.
My persistence paid off—I secured a managerial role, proving women are just as capable. But my success wasn’t just personal; it highlighted the need for workplaces where women don’t have to fight twice as hard.
According to her, “Every day, I see the cost of a system that fails women and children. Malnutrition, preventable deaths, and the heartbreak of knowing that with the right policies, the right investments, these tragedies could be avoided. I counsel new mothers on exclusive breastfeeding, but too many of them cannot afford to stay home for six months without work. I treat women suffering from anemia during pregnancy, yet they have no access to proper nutrition”- said Mrs. Tiku.
These stories mirror the experiences of countless other Nigerian women and embody the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day theme: For ALL Women and Girls. Rights. Equality. Empowerment. According to UN Women, as of 2024, only 61% of women aged 25-54 participate in the labor force globally, compared to 90% of men. In Nigeria, the labor force participation is slightly more balanced, with males at 79.9% and females at 79.1%, as per the National Bureau of Statistics’ 2024 report. However, this parity doesn’t necessarily translate to equality in opportunities or earnings.
Anemia remains a pressing health issue, affecting 58% of pregnant women in Nigeria, posing severe risks to both mothers and their unborn children. The maternal mortality ratio stands alarmingly high at 512 per 100,000 live births, translating to approximately 225 deaths daily, with postpartum hemorrhage being a leading cause.
Despite these challenges, strides have been made. The Nigerian government with support from CS-SUNN and other nutrition partners launched the National Guidelines on Women and Girls’ Empowerment for Optimal Nutrition, aiming to align various sectoral interventions to enhance women’s empowerment and their access to nutrition. Additionally, five state governments—Kaduna, Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, and Cross River—have approved six months of paid maternity leave, promoting exclusive breastfeeding and better health outcomes.
To accelerate progress in empowering women and promoting nutrition, several other key actions must be taken. Firstly, states should adopt and finance the National Guidelines for Women and Girls Empowerment for Optimal Nutrition, ensuring a multi-sectoral approach to empowerment and nutrition. This will provide a framework for addressing the unique challenges faced by women and girls.
As we reflect on the story of Tochukwu and other women who have overcome incredible obstacles to achieve their goals, we are reminded that progress is possible and that continuous efforts are required to ensure that every woman and girl can exercise her fundamental rights, access equal opportunities, and make informed decisions. By championing these causes, we move closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 5 (Gender Equality), paving the way for a more equitable and nourished Nigeria.
Stay tuned for Esther’s inspiring story and other actions required on the part of key stakeholders to advance optimal nutrition outcomes for women and girls in the coming days, along with a special blog, featuring the voices and tales of Nigerian women to commemorate 2025 Women’s History Month.
