LAGOS/Nigeria: The BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM) has called for increased investment in women, particularly women with disabilities, stressing that inclusive policies and equal opportunities are critical to achieving sustainable development.
The organisation made the call as the world commemorates the 2026 International Women’s Day, urging governments, institutions and communities to take deliberate steps toward strengthening the rights, participation and empowerment of women in all sectors of society.
In a press statement issued to mark the global celebration, the Founder and Executive Director of BOFIM, Blessing Oladunjoye, said meaningful progress in gender equality can only be achieved when women, including those with disabilities, are intentionally included in development processes and decision-making spaces.
Oladunjoye noted that women with disabilities continue to face multiple and intersecting barriers that limit their opportunities in education, employment, access to digital tools and visibility in the media.
According to her, tackling these challenges requires deliberate and sustained actions, including inclusive policymaking, investments in capacity development, accessible technologies and equitable media representation.
“Giving women and women with disabilities equal opportunities is not charity, it is an investment in inclusive development,” Oladunjoye said.
She explained that when women are empowered to participate fully in economic, social and civic life, societies benefit from stronger institutions, resilient communities and more inclusive economic growth.
Aligning with the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” and the campaign slogan “Give to Gain,” the organisation emphasized the importance of creating enabling environments that allow women and girls to realise their full potential.
BOFIM also highlighted the critical role of the media in advancing gender and disability inclusion, urging journalists and media institutions to amplify the voices, experiences and perspectives of women with disabilities while challenging stereotypes that often limit their participation in public life.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the capacity of journalists to produce inclusive and gender-responsive reporting, noting that responsible storytelling can help shape public perception, influence policy direction and promote greater accountability in the protection of the rights of women and persons with disabilities.
