10 Pillars of Advocacy

WOSCONET believes that meaningful democracy requires women's full participation at every level. We advocate for gender-responsive electoral laws, campaign for gender quotas in legislative and executive positions, and train women candidates for political office.

Our voter education programs empower women in rural and peri-urban communities to exercise their franchise — and to run for office themselves. We also engage directly with policymakers to champion gender-responsive budgeting and women-inclusive governance frameworks.

Education is the foundation of women's empowerment. WOSCONET advocates for equal access to quality education at every level, from primary through tertiary. We work to reduce dropout rates among girls by addressing the financial, cultural, and structural barriers that push them out of school.

Our programs include scholarship support, mentorship pairing, literacy campaigns for adult women, and advocacy for gender-inclusive school environments. We also partner with educational institutions to embed gender equity principles into their curricula and policies.

Menstrual poverty is a significant driver of school absenteeism and dropout among girls in Nigeria. WOSCONET addresses this through direct distribution of sanitary pads and hygiene kits, construction and rehabilitation of girl-friendly toilet facilities in schools, and community sensitization campaigns to destigmatize menstruation.

We advocate at the policy level for the elimination of taxes on menstrual hygiene products and for the inclusion of menstrual health education in the national school curriculum.

WOSCONET champions holistic women's health — including reproductive health, maternal and child health, mental wellbeing, and general healthcare access. We organize free medical outreach camps in underserved communities, providing consultations, screenings, medications, and referrals.

Our maternal health campaigns focus on reducing preventable maternal and infant mortality through education on antenatal care, safe delivery practices, and postnatal support. We also advocate for universal health coverage that includes women's specific healthcare needs.

Children are the future of every community. WOSCONET advocates vigorously against child labour, trafficking, early child marriage, and all forms of abuse and exploitation. We work with communities, law enforcement, and government agencies to report, prevent, and respond to violations of children's rights.

Our child protection programs include community awareness campaigns, support for survivors, and engagement with traditional and religious leaders to shift harmful norms. We also advocate for the full implementation of Nigeria's Child Rights Act in all states.

WOSCONET champions the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities across Nigeria. We directly distribute mobility aids — including white canes for the visually impaired and wheelchairs for persons with physical disabilities — to individuals in underserved communities.

We advocate for inclusive policies, accessible public infrastructure, and the full social and economic inclusion of persons with disabilities. We also run sensitization programs to combat stigma and promote the rights of persons with disabilities within families and communities.

Financial independence is central to women's freedom and dignity. WOSCONET runs entrepreneurship training programs, financial literacy workshops, and vocational skills training for women in under-resourced communities — equipping them with the knowledge and tools to build sustainable livelihoods.

We connect women entrepreneurs with market opportunities, support access to microfinance and cooperative savings schemes, and advocate for gender-responsive economic policies that expand women's access to land, capital, and formal employment.

Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is a fundamental right — and its absence disproportionately burdens women and girls, who bear the primary responsibility for water collection and household hygiene in most communities.

WOSCONET advocates for WASH infrastructure investment in underserved communities, supports the construction and rehabilitation of water points and sanitation facilities, and conducts hygiene education programs that reduce disease and improve community health outcomes.

Women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change, yet are chronically underrepresented in climate decision-making. WOSCONET advocates for women's meaningful participation in climate governance, environmental policymaking, and disaster risk management at the local, state, and national levels.

We support community-level resilience building, promote sustainable agricultural practices for women farmers, and raise awareness about environmental degradation and its gendered impacts. We position women as leaders in the green economy and champions of environmental stewardship.

Women are not just victims of conflict — they are essential peacemakers, mediators, and rebuilders of communities. WOSCONET champions the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the broader Women, Peace and Security agenda in Nigeria.

We advocate for women's inclusion in conflict prevention, peace negotiations, and post-conflict reconstruction. We support survivors of conflict-related gender-based violence and work to strengthen community peace-building mechanisms that centre women's leadership and lived experiences.