JCI Ibadan Amplifies Gender Advocacy Through Radio Forums, School Outreach For IWD 2026
In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, JCI Ibadan successfully implemented a week-long Gender Advocacy Project aimed at strengthening conversations around gender rights, justice, and equal opportunities for women and girls.
The advocacy campaign, which ran from Friday, March 6 to Friday, March 13, 2026, was organized in line with the United Nations International Women’s Day theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.”
The project, led by JC Evelyn Ohiolei, Chairman of the Gender Advocacy Project, JCI Ibadan, also aligns with the JCI Ibadan 2026 theme, Amplify Impact, and the JCI Nigeria theme, AMPLIFY — both of which emphasize expanding the reach and influence of impactful initiatives within communities.
As part of the advocacy efforts, JCI Ibadan hosted a series of On-Air Forums across three prominent radio stations in Ibadan — 32FM 94.9, Yes FM 101.7, and Dominion FM 106.1. To ensure the message resonated with diverse audiences and grassroots communities, the discussions were conducted in English, Yoruba, and Pidgin, enabling the conversations to reach listeners across Oyo State and beyond.
Beyond the airwaves, the project also included a school outreach at St. Louis Junior Grammar School, Ibadan, where over 700 students were sensitized on gender rights, equality, and responsible citizenship. The engagement encouraged students to understand the importance of respect, inclusion, and equal opportunities in building a balanced society.
During the On-Air Forum on 32FM, One of the speakers, Programs Manager at Ominira Initiative, Temiloluwa Oyeniyi highlighted the barriers women continue to face in political participation.
“I have seen a lot of challenges attached to women participating in politics. We still have very few women participating in politics. For instance, in Oyo State, we just have two women in the House of Assembly. It speaks to what policies we are making. How do we ensure everybody is included? There are some activities in politics that are not encouraging women to fully participate.”
Also speaking during the discussion, founder of Black Girls’ Dream Initiative, Karimot Odebode emphasized the importance of including women in policy-making spaces.
“Some policies are written without the perspective of women. Women are not in the room when decisions that affect us are made. These policies affect our lives but they are not shaped by our own experiences. It’s not fair that men draw up policies on issues that affect women.”
During the Yoruba edition of the forum, First Vice-President of JCI Ibadan, JCIN Amb. Oluwaseun Ajayi encouraged women to support one another in leadership and decision-making spaces, emphasizing the importance of solidarity among women in organizations and politics.
Similarly, 2025 Director of Skills Development, JCI Southwest JCIN Amb. Oluwadamilola Oladoyinbo called on parents to raise both boys and girls with equal responsibility and life skills, noting that household responsibilities and technical competencies should not be restricted by gender.
At the Pidgin edition of the forum, Chairman Access to Justice, JCI Ibadan, JC Victoria Olatunde described women as “multipliers,” explaining that empowering women ultimately benefits society as a whole.
“Women na multipliers. Anything wey you give women, dem go multiply am. Society must take advantage of this and ensure women are given the best so that the society itself can advance.”
Speaking on the broader goal of the advocacy campaign, JC Evelyn Ohiolei reiterated the importance of inclusive participation in advancing gender equality.
“The theme for this year is inclusive. Girls and women must continue to know about their rights. Those whose rights are violated must get justice, and everyone must come together to build a society where there are equal opportunities for all, irrespective of gender.”
Through its combination of media advocacy and youth engagement, the JCI Ibadan Gender Advocacy Project reinforces the organization’s commitment to amplifying conversations that drive meaningful change and empower women and girls across communities.