The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said on Saturday that the future of democracy is deeply tied to the empowerment of women and their full participation in the electoral process.

The commission said it was commited to creating an environment for women to participate and be active collaborators in shaping the nation’s electoral landscape, adding that gender equality will remain a priority for INEC in all areas of its work.

In a statement to mark the International Women’s Day by the Director, Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, the electoral body said it was committed to breaking down the barriers women face, including societal expectations, lack of support systems, and gender-based violence.

It urged all Nigerians to join in advancing gender equality, not only in the electoral process but across all aspects of life, adding that when women are empowered to take leadership roles and given equal opportunities, Nigeria’s democracy will be stronger, governance will be more inclusive, and the future will be brighter for everyone.

The Commission said it was working on policies that will encourage greater participation of women at all levels of the electoral process, from candidates to voters, from election administrators to party representatives.

The statement reads: “Today, as the Commission celebrates the International Women’s Day, it reaffirms its commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women in Nigeria’s electoral process.

“International Women’s Day highlights both the remarkable contributions women have made in society, including within the electoral system, and the need for further efforts toward true gender parity.

“INEC has made significant strides in ensuring women’s inclusion and representation within its leadership and decision-making bodies.

“As the theme for the 2025 International Women’s Day is ‘Accelerate Action,’ INEC recognizes that gender equality is not only a matter of fairness, but also a critical pillar in strengthening democracy.

“A leadership that reflects gender balance, where women equally participate in decision-making, leads to more inclusive and responsive governance. INEC continues to make efforts to ensure that women hold leadership positions within the Commission”.

The statement said further that under the current leadership composition at INEC, two of the 12 National Commissioners are women, making up 16.7% of the total leadership, adding that while this is a notable milestone, there is still work to be done in achieving gender balance in this decision-making body.

It said further that position of secretary, responsible for overseeing INEC’s operations, is held by a woman while four of the current 32 Resident Electoral Commissioners are women, accounting for 12.5% of this critical leadership group.