Women from across the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State, South East , Nigeria, Saturday, celebrated the 2026 International Women’s Day at the Michael Okpara Square ,Enugu , with a call for women’s empowerment, justice and equal opportunities.
Speaking at event organised by her office, the Wife of the Enugu State Governor, Nkechinyere Mbah, described the day as a reminder of society’s collective responsibility to remove barriers preventing women and girls from achieving their full potential
Dome of the women in attendance
Dwelling on the the theme “Give to Gain – Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” , Mrs. Mbah opined that the progress of any society is reflected in how it treats its women and girls.
She observed that despite growing awareness about gender equality, many women around the world still face discrimination, violence and limited access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
The Governor’s wife noted that women remain the backbone of communities, contributing significantly as farmers, teachers, health workers, entrepreneurs and caregivers who sustain families and societies.
Drama presentation
She reaffirmed the commitment of the state government to programmes that promote the wellbeing, education and economic empowerment of women and girls. She also pledged continued support for initiatives aimed at combating gender-based violence and creating safe spaces for victims.
In her lecture, the Resource person, Associate Professor Chimezie Atama encouraged women to prioritise personal growth, self-care and clear goal setting in order to make meaningful contributions to society.
She advised participants to apply the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound) when setting personal and professional goals, while also protecting their mental and physical wellbeing.
NAWOJ ( Women Journalists) were present at the event.
She stressed that women who invest in education, mentorship and self-development are better positioned to lead families, communities and institutions effectively.
In an interview with Newsmen the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Chidinma Egonu, said the empowerment programme was designed to support women who coordinate and mobilise others at the grassroots level.
She added that the initiative aligns with the Theme of the event, “Give to Gain,” which encourages women to invest in themselves while also uplifting others in their communities.
“These women are key mobilisers across the state. By empowering them, they will continue to inspire other women and drive development in their communities,” Egonu said.
Also speaking in an interview, the wife of Oji River Local Government Area,Mrs Uche Anyaegbudike commended the initiative, describing it as a significant step toward strengthening women’s voices, promoting equality and ensuring that women at the grassroots level are not left behind.
The event brought together people from different walks of life including women leaders, government officials, civil society organisations, professional bodies among others.
Highlights of the event were empowerment of women leaders serving as grassroots mobilisers across the 17 local government areas to strengthen their leadership roles and community engagement, cultural dance display and drama presentation on women empowerment and quest for equal opportunities.
Oji River women presenting a drama on the pioneer female politician, Margret Ekpo
The celebration featured speeches, empowerment activities, cultural displays and drama presentations, including a performance highlighting the legacy of Margaret Ekpo, a pioneer female politician who advocated for women’s participation in governance.
Drama presentation on, Maryam Babangida, wife of the Nigeria ‘s former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida
The event also highlighted the work of the pCustos Care Foundation, an initiative championed by the First Lady to support vulnerable women and girls through education, healthcare interventions and empowerment programmes
