**Nigeria's Women Face Unrelenting Challenges** As the world marks International Women's Day, it's a time to reflect on the progress made towards ensuring women's rights and access to justice. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the situation is far from improving. In fact, the data paints a disturbing picture of a nation where women continue to face unprecedented challenges. **The Informal Economy: A Lifeline for Nigerian Women** In Nigeria, over 50% of women are employed in the informal sector, where they engage in various activities like trading, farming, and small-scale entrepreneurship. These women are the backbone of the economy, yet they operate without any form of social protection or safety net. When the economy falters, as it has under President Tinubu's administration, these women are the first to feel the pinch. The removal of the fuel subsidy in May 2023, for instance, led to a drastic increase in petrol prices, from ₦185 to over ₦1,000 per litre. This has had a devastating impact on women who depend on their informal businesses to survive. Despite government initiatives like the Nigeria for Women Programme, which aims to empower 25 million women through a digital app, implementation has been slow and largely ineffective. **Rise of Gender-Based Violence** The connection between economic instability and violence against women is well-documented. As poverty increases, the risk of gender-based violence also rises. In Nigeria, cases of violence against women are on the rise, with women facing abuse, harassment, and exploitation in their homes, workplaces, and communities. The situation is especially dire for women in rural areas, where access to basic services like healthcare and education is limited. The government's inaction on these issues has only exacerbated the problem, leaving women to fend for themselves in a country where they are already struggling to make ends meet. As Nigeria marks International Women's Day, it's time for the government to take concrete action to address the challenges facing women in the country. This includes implementing policies that support women's economic empowerment, increasing access to healthcare and education, and holding perpetrators of gender-based violence accountable. Until then, Nigeria's women will continue to face a daunting future.