Solidarity means uniting to oppose gender-based exploitation in all its forms, with a shared goal of ensuring a high standard of living, a life free of violence and harmful practices for girls and women. It also encompasses their rights to equal opportunities, fair wages, inheritance, land and property ownership, as well as access to productive assets, food security, nutrition, decent work, education, and health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The sobering prediction by the World Economic Forum, suggesting that the gender gap may persist until 2186, underscores the urgency of bridging the gender and economic divide. It’s important to note that economic abuse often goes overlooked in discussions about domestic violence and the oppression of women. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in four women in the United States experiences physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, and this figure may be even higher in developing countries.

In Nigeria, the national average for women’s political participation remains dismally low at 6.7 percent in elective and appointive positions, well below the global average of 22.5 percent, the Africa regional average of 23.4 percent, and the West African sub-regional average of 15 percent. Astonishingly, Nigeria has yet to see a female Governor in any of its 36 states (Nigeria National Bureau of Statistics – Monitoring Participation of Women in Politics in Nigeria, 2016).

At IRISE, we are dedicated to empowering girls and women by strengthening their leadership and meaningful participation in decision-making processes. Our mission is to help them reclaim their rights, improve their livelihoods, and enhance their overall well-being.