Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality on the global stage as Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing the Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, had the honour of leading the Nigerian delegation to the 11th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians.

The high-level gathering, which held from 11th–13th September 2025 in Lima, Peru, convened young legislators from across continents under the theme, “Uniting Generations for Gender Equality.” The conference provided a vibrant platform for lawmakers to exchange ideas, share experiences and design practical strategies to accelerate progress in bridging gender gaps.

In his reflections, Senator Ekpenyong underscored the timeliness of the discussions, particularly as the international community commemorates three decades since the Beijing Declaration of 1995, a landmark framework that continues to shape global action on women’s empowerment and inclusive development.

“Gender equality is not a women’s issue, it is a societal imperative,” Ekpenyong said. “As young parliamentarians, we have a responsibility to dismantle barriers, enact inclusive laws, and ensure that the aspirations of the Beijing Declaration are translated into concrete realities for our people.”

The Nigerian delegation’s participation further reinforced the country’s role in global dialogues aimed at strengthening democratic governance, promoting gender justice, and ensuring that no generation is left behind in the pursuit of equality. The team also engaged with other delegations to exchange best practices, particularly on legislative reforms that can boost women’s representation in political and economic life.

Currently, Nigeria ranks among the lowest in women’s parliamentary representation in Africa, with less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly occupied by women. This glaring gap underscores the urgency of the reforms being advocated both domestically and internationally. Ekpenyong stressed that Nigeria’s future progress hinges on creating equal opportunities for both men and women across all spheres.

Delegates at the conference emphasised the importance of cross-generational collaboration, policy innovation and institutional reforms to dismantle systemic barriers that limit women’s political, economic and social participation. Resolutions adopted at the meeting called for increased investment in education for girls, gender-sensitive budgeting, stronger legal frameworks against gender-based violence, and greater inclusion of women in peace-building and governance processes.

The Lima conference also served as a reminder of the unfinished business of the Beijing Declaration. While progress has been made globally, participants acknowledged that entrenched inequalities, cultural biases and economic disparities continue to stall momentum. Young parliamentarians pledged to use their platforms to drive transformative change and ensure that the next generation inherits a world where equality is not only a principle but a lived reality.

For Nigeria, the event offered both inspiration and a challenge, to translate its commitments into tangible actions that will empower women and foster inclusive development. As Ekpenyong noted, “True democracy cannot thrive without gender balance. Our task is to ensure that equality is not a dream deferred but a reality achieved in our time.”