The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has renewed its call for inclusive policies and collaborative action to guarantee justice, rights, and equal opportunities for women and girls, particularly those living with disabilities.
The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, made the call during the 2026 International Women’s Day event held in Abuja. The programme, themed “Rights, Justice and Action for All Women and Girls,” brought together stakeholders to address persistent inequalities affecting vulnerable groups.
Benjamins-Laniyi stressed that inclusion must remain central to development, noting that women and girls with disabilities continue to face systemic barriers. She urged stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and embrace partnerships that deliver tangible impact.
Highlighting the cost of inaction, she pointed to issues such as lack of access to education, poverty, preventable health challenges, and harmful traditional practices, warning that these factors contribute to generational setbacks.
She also cited a recent outreach in Kuje Area Council, where over 250 women and girls with disabilities were engaged, many of whom face severe mobility and healthcare challenges, especially during emergencies.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Secretariat, Asmau Mukhtar, emphasized the importance of awareness, urging women to understand and defend their rights, including access to education and protection from violence.
Also speaking, Hauwa Ibrahim, President of the FCT Wives of Traditional Rulers Association, called for stronger involvement of men in advancing women’s rights, noting that meaningful progress requires collective responsibility.
The event concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to scale grassroots interventions and strengthen partnerships aimed at empowering women and girls across the FCT.