**Women's Rights Regressing Globally: A Wake-Up Call on International Women's Day 2026** As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark International Women's Day 2026, a recent United Nations report has painted a disturbing picture of women's rights globally. According to the report, women hold only 64% of the legal rights that men enjoy worldwide, a stark reminder that despite decades of progress, women and girls are still not equal to men under the law anywhere on earth. The report, titled "Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls," highlights the regressive trend of laws being reshaped to restrict women's freedoms, silence their voices, and allow abuse without consequence. This is a dire warning that women and girls are being failed by the very systems meant to protect them, leaving them exposed to abuse, injustice, and impunity. In Nigeria, this is a particularly disturbing trend. Despite the country's progress in promoting women's rights, women still face numerous legal barriers, including restrictions on owning property, seeking divorce, and passing citizenship to their children. The country's laws on rape and forced marriage also need improvement, with many Nigerians still unaware of the laws and their rights. The report's findings are a call to action for governments, institutions, and individuals to work together to close the justice gap for women and girls worldwide. It's a stark reminder that when women and girls are denied justice, the damage goes far beyond any single case, eroding public trust, undermining institutions, and weakening the rule of law. However, there is hope. According to the report, some progress has been made, and it matters. In many countries, including Nigeria, there are efforts to promote women's rights and challenge discriminatory laws and practices. For instance, the Nigerian government has made strides in promoting women's participation in politics and economic empowerment. As we mark International Women's Day 2026, it's essential to recognize that the fight for women's rights is far from over. We must continue to push for laws and policies that promote equality, justice, and human rights for all women and girls. Only then can we create a world where women and girls can live free from abuse, injustice, and impunity.