The Wife of the Enugu State Governor, Nkechinyere Mbah, has reaffirmed her commitment to promoting the well-being, protection and empowerment of women and girls in the state. Mrs Mbah made the commitment during a medical outreach held at Okpara Square in Enugu to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IWD is celebrated worldwide on 8 March to recognise the role of women in society and to draw attention to issues affecting their rights and opportunities. The 2026 celebration is themed “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” while the global campaign theme is “Give to Gain.” “Call to conscience, responsibility and collective action” Speaking at the event on Saturday in Enugu, Mrs Mbah said the theme served as a call to conscience, responsibility, and collective action to advance the rights and welfare of women and girls. Mrs Mbah, represented by the Wife of the Enugu Speaker, Chinyere Ugwu, noted that women and girls across the world still faced discrimination, violence and exclusion because of their gender. According to her, many women are still denied access to quality education, healthcare, equal opportunities and a safe environment to thrive. She reaffirmed her commitment to championing initiatives that promote the welfare and empowerment of women and girls through advocacy for girl-child education, improved maternal health services, campaigns against gender-based violence and economic empowerment programmes. “Yet, we know that when women are empowered, communities are strengthened, and when women and girls are protected, our future becomes more secure,” she said. She described women in Enugu State as courageous and resilient, noting that they played critical roles as farmers, teachers, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs and public servants. “Our women are industrious, and they deserve a state that protects their rights, upholds justice and creates space for their voices to be heard,” she added. The governor’s wife stressed that protecting women’s rights meant ensuring that every girl child had access to education, quality healthcare and opportunities to achieve their dreams. She also called for an end to child marriage, trafficking, harmful traditional practices and all forms of violence against women. Protection for gender-based violence survivors On justice, Mrs Mbah said survivors of gender-based violence must be believed, protected and supported, while institutions and law enforcement agencies must be responsive to women’s realities. She urged participants at the medical outreach to commit themselves to defending the rights of women and girls and taking practical actions in their homes, workplaces and communities to make life safer and better for them. Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Equity Watch Initiative, Chimezie Atama, emphasised the importance of personal growth, goal-setting, and self-care for women. Ms Atama, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, described IWD as a global movement that celebrates the progress of women, while calling for greater efforts toward gender equality. She said the “Give to Gain” campaign encouraged investment in women through mentorship, resources and opportunities, noting that when women thrive, communities and societies benefit. Ms Atama also urged women to identify their personal values, set clear goals and prioritise self-care to achieve leadership and impact. Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to Mrs Mbah on Special Duties, Chidinma Egeonu, said women leaders from the state’s 17 local government areas were empowered during the event. Ms Egeonu explained that the empowerment initiative was designed to encourage the women leaders who serve as grassroots mobilisers across the state. “Her Excellency decided to empower them today so that they will be encouraged to do more for the state and for women in their various communities,” she said. In her remarks, the Managing Director of the Custos Care Foundation, Egodi Igwe, said the foundation organised a free medical outreach for women to empower them medically. Ms Igwe explained that the initiative aimed to improve women’s health and ensure that those who attended the programme received free medical consultations and treatment. NAN also reports that the event attracted women leaders, community groups and stakeholders from across the state who gathered to celebrate women’s achievements and advocate for greater gender equality.