In Nigeria, the annual observance of International Women’s Day has, for some, devolved into a superficial display, a mere ‘costume day,’ as described by Nusrat Lasisi, also known as NusratDReteller.
Lasisi argues that the day, intended to celebrate and advocate for women’s rights and equality, has been co-opted, transformed into a performative exercise that masks the persistent and pervasive realities of misogyny within Nigerian society.
Instead of substantive action and meaningful change, she suggests that the day has become an occasion for symbolic gestures and fleeting moments of public recognition, failing to address the deep-seated systemic issues that continue to impede women’s progress and perpetuate gender inequality.
This critique highlights a concern that the focus on celebratory events and social media optics overshadows the urgent need for tangible policy reforms, sustained activism, and a fundamental shift in cultural attitudes towards women in Nigeria.”