The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on federal and state governments to address challenges within Nigeria’s information ecosystem that hinder women’s access to public information and limit their ability to fully exercise their right to information.
The organisation made the call in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026.
In the statement, MRA Programme Officer, Ayomide Eweje, said meaningful progress for women in Nigeria would remain difficult if barriers such as bureaucratic secrecy and limited access to public information persist.
“Access to information is not just a legal right but a critical tool for survival, empowerment and equality for women. It enables them to make informed decisions, claim their rights and participate fully in social, economic and political life,” she said.
Eweje noted that access to information plays a crucial role in improving the socio-economic status of women, particularly by enabling them to take advantage of digital tools for entrepreneurship, financial growth and networking.
According to her, access to information also helps women secure credit for small businesses and manage economic resources more effectively, while information networks can help bridge the gap for rural women who are often excluded from economic opportunities due to poor infrastructure and limited access to knowledge.
She added that access to accurate information is equally important in the health sector, particularly for women’s reproductive health. According to her, knowledge about reproductive healthcare services can help women ensure safe childbirth, reduce maternal mortality and prevent unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections through awareness of modern family planning methods.
Eweje further stressed that access to information strengthens women’s participation in democratic processes by enabling them to contribute to debates on socio-economic issues, demand accountability in the provision of public services and make informed electoral choices.
She also highlighted the role of information in helping survivors of abuse report crimes, obtain legal assistance and access post-rape care, noting that digital literacy and awareness of digital rights are increasingly important for protecting women from technology-facilitated violence such as cyberbullying and deepfakes.
Eweje warned that the digital space is increasingly being used to silence women, citing incidents of online harassment, coordinated attacks on female journalists and civil society activists, which she said discourage women from participating in online discourse and limit their access to vital information.
Despite the importance of access to information, she said many Nigerian women continue to face barriers and called on the Federal Government, the National Assembly and state governments to adopt measures that guarantee the full realisation of women’s information rights.
Among the measures recommended, Eweje urged authorities to ensure the collection and publication of gender-disaggregated data so that public institutions proactively disclose information reflecting the specific experiences and needs of women, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, health and education.
She also called on government and security agencies to protect women in digital spaces by prosecuting individuals who use technology to harass or silence them.
Eweje added that the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015, as amended, should be used to protect citizens rather than suppress dissent.
She reaffirmed MRA’s commitment to promoting an open society where Nigerian women can exercise their rights to access information, express themselves freely and participate fully in national development without fear of harassment or institutional secrecy.
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