A civil society organisation, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), has called on the Federal and State Governments to address barriers preventing Nigerian women from accessing public information, stressing that the lack of open information systems continues to hinder women’s empowerment and participation in national development.
The call was made in a statement issued in Lagos to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, where the organisation emphasized the need for gender-responsive information systems that promote equal access to information for women across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Programme Officer at MRA, Ayomide Eweje, said access to information remains a vital tool for survival, empowerment, and equality for women.
According to her, access to reliable information enables women to make informed decisions, claim their rights, and participate effectively in social, economic, and political activities.
She explained that improved access to information could significantly enhance the socio-economic status of women by enabling them to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
Eweje noted that digital access and information platforms provide opportunities for women to leverage tools for entrepreneurship, financial growth, and professional networking.
She added that information also helps women secure credit for small businesses and manage economic resources effectively, while information networks could help bridge gaps for rural women who often lack infrastructure and access to knowledge.
On health matters, she stressed that access to information plays a crucial role in helping women make informed decisions regarding their bodies and health.
According to her, comprehensive reproductive health information empowers women to ensure safe childbirth and helps reduce maternal mortality, while awareness of modern family planning methods can help prevent unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections.
She further stated that women’s participation in democratic processes is closely tied to their access to information.
With adequate information, she said, women can contribute to debates on socio-economic development, demand accountability in public service delivery such as healthcare, make informed choices during elections, and actively participate in governance.
Eweje also highlighted the role of information in helping survivors of abuse understand how to report crimes, access post-rape care, and obtain legal support.
She warned that the growing prevalence of technology-facilitated violence such as cyberbullying and deepfakes is making the digital space increasingly hostile for women.
According to her, coordinated online attacks targeting female journalists and civil society activists are being used to silence women’s voices and discourage their participation in digital discourse.
She said such developments create a chilling effect, forcing many women to withdraw from online discussions, thereby limiting their access to critical information and their ability to hold governments accountable.
Despite the importance of access to information, Eweje noted that many Nigerian women still face significant barriers.
She therefore urged the Federal Government, including the National Assembly, and State Governments to adopt policies that will remove these obstacles and promote women’s information rights.
Among the measures recommended, she called for the collection and proactive disclosure of gender-disaggregated data by public institutions to reflect women’s experiences and address their needs in key sectors such as agriculture, health, and education.
She also urged government, security, and law enforcement agencies to protect the “digital frontline” by prosecuting individuals who use digital platforms to harass or silence women.
Eweje added that the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, as amended, should be applied to protect women online rather than suppress dissenting voices.
She reaffirmed that MRA remains committed to advocating for an open society where Nigerian women can freely exercise their rights to access information, express themselves, and participate in governance without fear of intimidation or institutional secrecy.
