Woman Na Human Being: Bringing Rights, Justice, and Action to the Heart of the Market

By mid-morning in Mararaba Market, the usual rhythm of trade shifted. The beat of drums rose above bargaining voices, drawing traders and passersby into a growing circle. What began as curiosity settled into something deeper. At the center was a message both simple and urgent: woman na human being.

In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” UN Women held a community sensitization rally which took the conversation on gender equality into everyday spaces. Markets in Mararaba, Nyanya, and Suleja became platforms for dialogue, where lived experiences met practical knowledge about rights and support systems.

The choice of location was deliberate. Markets are more than places of commerce, they are spaces where ideas are exchanged, norms are reinforced, and community voices carry weight. For many women who work in these spaces, access to information about their rights and available support systems remains limited. By meeting them where they are, the campaign ensured that the message of rights, justice, and action was not distant or abstract, but something they could see, hear, and engage with directly.

Through dance and drama, everyday realities unfolded before the audience: a woman blamed for not bearing a male child, a girl denied education, a wife excluded from inheritance, and the reality of violence in the home. These were not distant stories. They were familiar.

“I learned many things from this drama,” Rachia Adam said in Mararaba, holding up her phone after recording the performance. She spoke about sharing it with others in her neighborhood. In that moment, awareness was already turning into action.

The performances opened the door to conversation. In Mararaba, Abubakar Kabiru reflected on how he had prioritized his sons and spoke about treating all his children equally going forward. His response captured a shift that speaks directly to justice within the home.

In Nyanya Market, the discussion revealed the weight many women carry. One participant spoke of managing the home alone, with little support from her partner. Her experience resonated across the crowd. For many, the rally gave words to what they had long endured and affirmed that it should not be normal.

Another participant stressed the importance of educating girls, noting that women often sustain their families. Her perspective linked rights to opportunity and long-term security, reinforcing that justice must include access to education.

In Suleja Market, conversations focused strongly on ending violence against women. Participants spoke about its consequences and the need for accountability. One man committed to speaking to others, recognizing that change requires collective effort. Another reflected on the need to value and support women, connecting personal behavior to broader social change.

Over 1000 flyers with toll free phone numbers for escalating gender-based violence and harmful practices were distributed, with the young people going from store to store, individual to individual, explaining that communities must not be quiet when they see cases of gender-based violence.

Across the three markets, the message was clear. When people understand their rights in ways that connect to their daily lives, they are more likely to act. The use of local language and familiar storytelling made the message accessible, while market leaders helped reinforce its credibility. Information materials distributed during the rally ensured that participants could continue to engage with the content and seek support where needed.

What stood out was the willingness to carry the message forward. Some participants recorded the performances to share with others. Some reflected on changes they would make at home. Others emphasized educating their daughters and supporting their wives. These responses showed how awareness can move into action when it feels relevant.

The rally brought the theme of Rights. Justice. Action. to life in practical terms. Rights were explained through everyday experiences. Justice was framed as fairness in the home and community. Action emerged in the commitments people made and the conversations they chose to continue.

As the crowd dispersed and the markets returned to their usual pace, the impact remained. The conversations had shifted, and so had perspectives. In the words of one participant, “From today, I don learn to appreciate women.” It is a simple statement, but it reflects the starting point of change.