Finding Their Voice: Young People Lead the Conversation on Rights, Justice and Action

As part of the 2026 International Women’s Day commemorations, the United Nations Gender Theme Group brought together secondary school students from across Abuja for an inter-schools debate and gender-based violence prevention session under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.” What followed was a powerful reminder that the conversation on gender equality is already evolving in the hands of a younger generation.

In her opening remarks, Patience Ekeoba, UN Women acting deputy rep, encouraged the students to see themselves differently, not just as participants for the day, but as people others would look up to. “You are not only here to learn, you are also mentors and role models within your schools and communities.” The message was simple but grounding: your voice matters, whether you are speaking, listening, or questioning what you have been taught to accept.

That sense of ownership carried into the Gender Based Violence prevention and awareness session, where the discussion moved quickly from definitions to lived realities. Students engaged openly as different forms of violence were unpacked, including the growing risks within digital spaces. There was a quiet shift in the room as conversations turned to online harassment and the permanence of digital harm. For many, this was familiar territory, now framed in a way that demanded responsibility.

The conversation on accountability was direct. Violence was named for what it is, and the idea that survivors are ever to blame was firmly rejected. Students spoke about the importance of support, reporting, and standing up for one another. Boys were not left on the sidelines, they were called into the conversation as allies, with a clear role in shaping safer environments.

By the time the debates began, the students had settled into their voices. The first motion asked whether Nigeria has made progress in achieving rights, justice, and action for women and girls. Those in support pointed to visible gains; more girls in school, more women in leadership, and a growing willingness to challenge inequality. Their arguments reflected optimism grounded in observation.

The opposing side brought a different weight to the discussion. They spoke about gaps that remain difficult to ignore: the persistence of gender-based violence, the slow pace of justice, and the reality that many girls still lack access to education and protection. Their position was not dismissive of progress, but insistent that it cannot be measured without considering those still left behind.

The exchange was thoughtful and, at times, deeply personal. What stood out was not the divide in opinion, but the clarity with which students navigated complexity. They understood that progress and inequality can exist side by side, and that acknowledging both is necessary to move forward.

The second debate shifted focus to the role of girls’ education in national development. Students spoke with conviction about its impact, linking education to economic growth, healthier families, and stronger communities. Others expanded the lens, arguing that development requires broader investment across systems and for all young people. The discussion did not dilute the importance of educating girls; it strengthened it by placing it within a wider context.

As the session drew to a close, reflections turned inward. The UN Women Representative encouraged students to be deliberate about their ambitions and unafraid to challenge expectations. Her words landed as both encouragement and instruction, reinforcing that the path to leadership is built through confidence, persistence, and the willingness to think differently.

When the winners were announced, the applause was loud, but the energy in the room suggested that recognition went beyond trophies. Every student had taken part in something meaningful. They had questioned, argued, listened, and learned from one another.

Long after the debates ended, the significance of the day remained clear. These were not distant conversations about policy or theory. They were grounded, honest reflections on the kind of society young people are inheriting and the one they are determined to shape.

In a space often reserved for decision-makers, students stepped forward and claimed their place in the conversation. Not as future leaders waiting their turn, but as voices already shaping what rights, justice, and action should look like in practice. And they did so with clarity, courage, and conviction.