Women: Pillars of strength in the face of trials
….Global celebration of women’s resilience and a renewed call for men to uphold dignity and mutual respect
Every March 8, the world unites in joyous celebration of International Women’s Day, a momentous occasion dedicated to honouring the unyielding strength, remarkable resilience, and priceless contributions of women everywhere, from bustling cities to remote villages.
This global event not only spotlights their triumphs but also reignites conversations on equity, urging societies to dismantle barriers that have long hindered progress. In Nigeria and beyond, women stand as beacons of hope, embodying a spirit that turns adversity into opportunity and despair into determination.
Women have time and again proven their mettle, displaying extraordinary steadfastness amid life’s harshest trials, whether nurturing families through economic hardships, forging communities in the face of conflict, or breaking glass ceilings in politics, business, education, and myriad professions.
Their tireless work ethic, unshakeable courage, and profound capacity to endure suffering while lifting others remain a timeless inspiration, fueling societal advancement and reminding us all that true progress hinges on collective upliftment.
When women thrive, accessing education, healthcare, and leadership roles families flourish with stability, communities prosper through innovation, and nations build a brighter future for generations to come, as evidenced by trailblazers like Nigeria’s own Dora Akunyili and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, whose legacies continue to echo.
Yet, amid these accolades, International Women’s Day poignantly underscores the persistent shadows of injustice that many women still grapple with, including rampant emotional, verbal, and physical abuse that stifles voices and shatters dreams.
In countless societies, women endure violence, discrimination, and intimidation merely for daring to speak truth to power or claim their rightful place, a reality that demands urgent introspection and action from all corners of the globe.
This harsh truth hit close to home recently in Nigeria, where public outrage erupted over the alleged assault on young activist Ogadinma Minnie Uchechi in Odiokwu community, Ahoada, Rivers State, after she bravely shared a video exposing the dilapidated state of a public secondary school and pleading for urgent government intervention.
The incident, reportedly linked to Ahoada West Local Government Area Chairman Eugene Chita Epelle, has ignited fierce backlash from civil society organisations, women’s rights groups, and concerned citizens, who are baying for thorough investigations, justice, and accountability to prevent such silencing of advocacy.
While the chairman has firmly denied direct involvement, dismissing it as a regrettable misunderstanding, the episode lays bare the perilous risks women face when challenging neglect in homes, workplaces, or communities, echoing similar cases across the country from Lagos markets to northern villages.Such heart-wrenching stories compel men, and society at large, to reframe their view of women, not as targets for abuse or tools of domination, but as equal partners in the march towards progress, whose dignity, rights, and voices must be fiercely guarded at every turn.
Though abuse spares no gender and some men suffer too, global data from bodies like the United Nations paints a stark picture: women bear the brunt disproportionately, highlighting the imperative for a cultural shift towards mutual respect, empathy, and a resolute zero-tolerance stance against all forms of violence.
On this International Women’s Day, as families, communities, and leaders reflect, the clarion call is clear: champion equality by carving out more spaces for women in leadership and decision-making, knowing full well that whatever resources or chances they receive, they amplify them exponentially for the greater good.
Empowering a woman is no mere gesture of fairness; it is a strategic investment yielding stronger families, vibrant communities, and thriving nations. Congratulations to every woman, resilient mother, bold activist, visionary leader, and a resounding Happy International Women’s Day!
Oluchi Oparah
Former National Treasurer, Labour Party
March 8, 2026
