Stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration among African countries to advance women’s rights, leadership and economic empowerment at the 2026 Pan-African Women’s Day celebration held on Friday in Abuja.

The maiden event, organised by the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development (MBNCWD), brought together government officials, diplomats, development partners and women leaders from across Africa to discuss development.

Director-General of the centre, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, described the celebration as a platform to strengthen Africa’s commitment to women’s rights, leadership, inclusion and sustainable development through collective action and partnerships.

“Today, 31st July, is Africa Women’s Day. We gather not as a single ceremony, but as the culmination of a full week of dialogue, learning and celebration,” she said.

Ms Benjamins-Laniyi said the gathering aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Maputo Protocol, promoting the rights, dignity, safety and economic participation of women across the African continent.

She recalled that the commemoration originated on July 31, 1962, when African women established the Pan-African Women’s Organisation in Dar es Salaam, advancing unity, advocacy and gender equality initiatives.

“Today is a celebration, yes, but it is also a working gathering, a place of accountability and a declaration of intent,” she said while urging commitment to progress.

The director-general described the “Omalicha” sculpture as a symbol of resilience, strength and determination, reflecting the enduring contributions of African women to the continent’s development and transformation.

“Omalicha stands at our gate. Assembled from fragments. Still standing. Still rising. Africa has always risen on the shoulders of its women. This year, we rise as one,” she said.

The keynote speaker, Titilayo Leslie, executive director of the African Historical Society, urged African women to reclaim their history as a foundation for future development and advancement.

Ms Leslie said countries that created opportunities for women recorded greater progress, adding that investments in women consistently produced lasting social, economic and developmental benefits across generations.

“One of the key indicators of a country’s success is the extent to which it gives opportunities to women,” she said, emphasising the importance of inclusion.

According to her, Africa’s history remains a source of inspiration and confidence, providing lessons and examples capable of shaping future generations and strengthening continental identity.

“Our history is our DNA. It is our memory. It tells us what we are capable of. It inspires us,” she said.

Ms Leslie said historical research showed Nigerian women pioneered technological innovations, engineering and literacy long before colonial rule, demonstrating their longstanding contributions to societal advancement.

She urged African women to draw strength from those achievements and continue working alongside men to build a prosperous, peaceful and economically vibrant continent.

“Men stood side by side with women throughout this history. It was never a war between men and women,” she said, advocating cooperation.

Also speaking, Burundi’s president and African Union chairperson, Évariste Ndayishimiye, represented by Burundi’s ambassador to Nigeria, Édouard Nduwimana, reaffirmed support for African unity and women’s leadership.

“I highly appreciate and strongly support initiatives that promote African unity, women’s leadership, youth empowerment, peace and sustainable development,” Ndayishimiye said.

He urged African women to remain a strong voice for the continent’s transformation and invited participants to a forthcoming continental dialogue in Burundi.

Mr Ndayishimiye said the Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security would take place in Bujumbura from August 10 to August 12, featuring a special women’s forum.

According to him, the forum will recognise women’s contributions to promoting peace, strengthening resilience and supporting sustainable development efforts across communities and nations.

He said Africa continues to face insecurity, conflicts, climate change and other challenges requiring greater unity, solidarity and collective action among countries and institutions.

“Let us continue to rise as one, speak with one voice and build one lasting legacy for future generations,” Mr Ndayishimiye said while calling for cooperation.

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim said Nigeria had recorded notable progress in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment through policy reforms.

She said the federal government had inaugurated the National Gender Profile and Gender Roadmap 2030 to align national policies with Agenda 2063 and the Maputo Protocol.

According to the minister, the government had introduced legal frameworks to strengthen protection for women and girls while expanding economic opportunities and participation in development.

“We have moved beyond rhetoric to deliver concrete and far-reaching results around policy and legal milestones,” she said while highlighting government achievements and reforms.

Ms Sulaiman-Ibrahim called on African countries to implement the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and domesticate the Maputo Protocol.

She also urged governments to remove barriers to women’s leadership and prioritise women’s participation in climate action, food security initiatives and peacebuilding processes.

“When women are involved, peace is more lasting,” she said, emphasising the importance of women’s inclusion in decision-making and conflict-resolution processes across Africa.

The event, themed “Africa Women: We Rise as One: Our Voice. Our Legacy. Our Africa,” featured discussions on leadership, empowerment, gender equality and continental development aspirations.

(NAN)