UN Women: Lack Of Information Limiting Women’s Participation In Governance

By Augustine Aminu

The United Nations Women (UN Women) has raised concerns over the lack of timely and accurate information among women, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, saying it is limiting their participation in governance, economic empowerment and protection from violence.

The Country Representative of UN Women to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ms Beatrice Eyong, stated this in Abuja on Monday at the launch of the Inform Women, Transform Lives Campaign and Community Information and Advocacy Forum, organised by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was organised to commemorate the International Day for Universal Access to Information.

Eyong, who was represented by Ms Adek Bassey, a public health professional, said access to information was more than a governance principle, describing it as a critical tool for accountability, citizen participation and sustainable development.

She said access to information was particularly important for women and girls as it could open opportunities in education, economic empowerment, political participation, justice and protection from violence.

“Yet many women, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, continue to face barriers to obtaining and using critical information that affects their lives and livelihoods,” she said.

According to her, access to information should be treated as a gender equality and development priority rather than solely as a governance issue.

Eyong also stressed the need for stronger collaboration among institutions, warning that poor coordination could leave citizens without access to essential public information and services.

She called for investment in integrated information systems, harmonised data management, digital innovation and inclusive communication to ensure that digital transformation did not deepen existing inequalities affecting women, youths and persons with disabilities.

“For UN Women, access to information is closely linked to women’s leadership, political participation, economic empowerment and peacebuilding.

“Women cannot effectively participate in governance processes, engage in public decision-making or claim their rights without access to timely, accurate and accessible information,” she said.

Eyong urged stakeholders to focus on three key priorities: strengthening institutional coordination for information management, promoting inclusive and gender-responsive access to information, and using partnerships and technology to improve transparency and citizen engagement.

She said access to information was ultimately about “power, participation and inclusion”, adding that every citizen should have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in shaping the future of their communities and the country.

Earlier, the Chairman of AMAC, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, said the council would take ownership of the campaign and extend it to rural communities through traditional rulers and local authorities.

Maikalangu, who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Mohammed Nadabo, said the campaign would also be extended to the other five area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in his capacity as Chairman of the FCT Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

“When we inform a woman, we empower her. When we empower a woman, we strengthen her family. And when we strengthen her family, we transform communities and society at large,” he said.

Also speaking, the Divisional Head, Social Welfare and Gender, AMAC, Mrs Aisha Yusuf, said gender-based violence (GBV) often thrives because victims lack information about available support services.

Yusuf said AMAC had a gender unit that provided counselling services but noted that many women at the grassroots were still unaware of its existence.

“When people don’t know, they will keep on facing violence. But when you know, you have the power. Information makes women powerful,” she said.

The Programme Manager of Brain Act Ltd., Mr Wisdom Hanson, said the one-year campaign, funded by the Carter Center, would use radio, television, billboards and peer-to-peer community engagement to reach women across communities.