Coalition calls for gender-inclusive reforms to drive workplace equity, economic growth

Coalition calls for gender-inclusive reforms to drive workplace equity, economic growth

The Women in Leadership (WIL) Coalition has called for gender-inclusive and family-friendly workplace reforms, including stronger parental leave policies to unlock Nigeria’s economic growth and competitiveness.

The Coalition also advocated for greater representation of women in leadership, which it considers critical to the national economic development of the country.

“Gender inclusivity is not just a social issue. It is an economic imperative for Nigeria’s social economic development,” Amina Oyagbola, chairperson and founder, WISCAR, stated during a recent strategic advocacy visit to Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination.

The Coalition urged government action to remove barriers limiting women’s full participation in the workforce.

According to the Coalition, women in Nigeria continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid care responsibilities, contributing an estimated $111 billion in unpaid care work annually.

The Coalition emphasized that strengthening parental leave policies, including extending maternity leave and introducing paid paternity leave would help women remain and thrive in the workforce while promoting shared caregiving responsibilities.

It noted that these reforms, alongside greater representation of women in leadership, are not only matters of equity but strategic investments in productivity, talent retention, and national competitiveness.

“When families are supported, women can contribute fully to the economy, businesses thrive and the economy grows,” Anthonia Emetarom, WILAN representative stated.

The Coalition called for three priority reforms to strengthen women’ participation in Nigeria’s economy: it called for a modernized parental leave policy by introducing a national standard of 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and 14 days of paid paternity leave.

It advocated for a minimum of 35 percent representation of women on corporate boards and in the executive management of listed companies.

The Coalition also called for a minimum of 35 percent female representation in both federal and state cabinets.

The Coalition noted that these reforms are both practical and achievable, pointing to existing examples within Nigeria.

“To accelerate the implementation of these policies, the government can deploy executive incentives to encourage private sector adoption of enhanced family-friendly workplace practices, including 16 weeks of maternity leave and 14 days of paternity leave” Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, executive director of WIMBIZ, stated.

The Coalition stressed that the time for action is now, noting that family-friendly workplace policies and greater representation of women in leadership are not simply gender issues, but national economic priorities that will determine Nigeria’s future competitiveness.

In response to the Coalition’s recommendations, Usman, reaffirmed the Presidency’s commitment to advancing gender equality, noting that the Federal Civil Service already provides five months and two weeks of fully paid maternity leave, alongside two weeks of paid paternity leave.

She acknowledged, however, that these provisions are not consistently applied across the private sector and encouraged continued advocacy to promote wider adoption of family-friendly workplace policies.

In support of the Coalition’s call for greater women’s representation in leadership, Usman also committed to engaging relevant federal agencies to determine the applicability of the Public Service Rules across government institutions.

She further pledged to compile a list of federal parastatals and agencies to support evidence-based recommendations to the President on increasing the number of women appointed to leadership positions.