From Thursday, August 1st, to Saturday, August 10th, 2024, Nigerians across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory took to the streets in large numbers to demand better governance in response to unfavorable government policies. These policies included the removal of fuel subsidies, the devaluation of the national currency, and the floating of the exchange rate, which led to hyperinflation, skyrocketing costs of goods and services, and an increased cost of living, making necessities like bread and sugar unaffordable for many. Despite the presence of security forces such as the police and military, who responded with violence, protesters remained resolute in their demands. These demands included reducing food prices, addressing the rising cost of living, curbing insecurity, cutting the government’s cabinet by 50%, releasing End SARS protesters, ensuring farmers’ security, increasing budgetary allocations to healthcare and education, implementing the Justice Uwais Report on electoral reform, establishing a living wage, and carrying out constitutional and judicial reforms to allow for referendums. In response to the protests, on Sunday, August 4th, 2024, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the nation on Day 4 of the protests. While he emphasized the urgency of his reforms as essential for the nation’s survival, despite their negative impact on citizens, his speech largely ignored the protesters’ demands and failed to address them throughout the remainder of the protests. Poor governance has profound and far-reaching negative effects on the health and well-being of women and girls. Corruption within the health sector, for example, can lead to the embezzlement of funds meant for purchasing essential hospital equipment, resulting in increased maternal mortality and neonatal deaths. Similarly, inadequate government investment in education can lead to poorly built and unsecured schools, leaving them vulnerable to attacks by bandits and terrorists who kidnap girls, forcefully marry them, and impregnating them against their will. Additionally, poor economic policies can limit the economic empowerment of women and girls, making them more susceptible to sexual and gender-based violence and stifling their ability to contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
In the fight against poor governance, women must recognize their significant roles in society, organize themselves into a movement, support one another in joining political parties, contesting political offices, and using their voices and collective power to drive positive societal change.