The Women’s Committee of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi State Council, has called for renewed collective action to advance gender equality and justice in Nigerian workplaces, stressing that inclusive labour policies and gender-responsive reforms are essential to achieving sustainable economic development.
The Chairperson of the NLC Women’s Committee in Ebonyi State, Dr Nomso Markson, made the call on Saturday while delivering a keynote address at the commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2026 in Abakaliki.
Speaking under the global theme, “Rights and Justice for All Women and Girls,” Dr Markson emphasised the urgent need for government institutions, employers, labour leaders and workers to adopt a gender-transformative approach to workplace governance.
She noted that structural inequalities, discriminatory labour practices and gender-based violence continue to undermine the dignity, safety and economic empowerment of women workers across the country.
According to her, achieving workplace justice requires deliberate policy interventions that address systemic barriers such as unequal access to leadership positions, wage disparities, and weak enforcement of protections against workplace harassment.
“The Nigerian working woman remains central to the nation’s productivity and social stability. From classrooms to hospitals, markets, farms and public service, women sustain the economy. Yet their labour is frequently undervalued and their rights insufficiently protected,” she said.
Markson highlighted that many women remain concentrated in precarious and informal employment arrangements, where access to social protection, maternity entitlements and career advancement opportunities is limited.
She stressed that the campaign message for the commemoration, “Give to Gain,” represents a framework for shared accountability among stakeholders in advancing gender justice.
“Gender equality is not a zero-sum proposition. When institutions invest in women’s rights, safe workplaces and inclusive policies, the gains extend to families, communities, organisations and the broader economy,” she stated.
The labour leader therefore urged policymakers to enact and enforce stronger gender-responsive legislation that criminalises workplace harassment, guarantees equal pay for work of equal value and expands family-friendly labour policies such as parental leave and workplace childcare support systems.
She also called on employers in both the public and private sectors to adopt inclusive human resource practices that prioritise equal opportunity in recruitment, training and promotion, while establishing safe and dignified workplaces free from discrimination and gender-based violence.
Dr Markson further appealed to male allies and labour leaders within the trade union movement to deepen solidarity with women workers by challenging gender bias within union structures and promoting mentorship opportunities for emerging female labour leaders.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Labour Congress Women’s Committee in Ebonyi State to advancing gender-responsive collective bargaining, strengthening awareness on the right to dignity at work, and advocating for the ratification and effective implementation of international labour standards, including the International Labour Organization’s convention on violence and harassment in the workplace.
“As a labour movement, we must build institutions that reflect equity, representation and justice. Collective action remains our most powerful instrument in dismantling gender discrimination and ensuring that every worker, regardless of gender, can thrive with dignity,” she added.
The annual International Women’s Day, observed globally on March 8, celebrates the achievements of women while mobilising action to address persistent gender inequalities in social, economic and political spheres.
