It’s 2026, and believe it or not, not a single country in the world has managed to achieve full gender equality. That’s the stark reality highlighted in a new United Nations report, and it’s a wake-up call for all of us.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day this year, the UN is reminding everyone that progress on women’s rights is moving at a snail’s pace, and in some areas, it’s even going backward.

I’ve been following this topic for a while, and it’s heartbreaking to see how far we still have to go. But let’s dive into what the report actually says and why it matters so much today.

Women and girls around the globe are still facing massive barriers, from unequal pay to limited legal protections. The UN Secretary-General’s report shows that women hold just 64 percent of the legal rights that men do.

That means in most countries, laws are still stacked against them. And get this—at the current rate, it could take until 2158 to reach full gender parity.

That’s over 130 years from now! We’re talking about five generations before women and men are truly equal under the law.

It’s frustrating because we’ve seen some wins, like more countries passing laws against domestic violence (87 percent now have them), but overall, the momentum is fading.

Key Findings from the UN Secretary-General’s Report

The report doesn’t mince words—it’s called “Ensuring and Strengthening Access to Justice for All Women and Girls,” and it paints a picture of a world where justice systems are failing half the population.

For starters, in over half of countries (54 percent), rape isn’t defined based on consent, which means many cases go unrecognized or unpunished.

Child marriage is still legal in nearly three-quarters of nations, putting young girls at risk every day. And equal pay?

Forget it—44 percent of countries don’t mandate equal remuneration for work of equal value. These aren’t just numbers; they’re real lives affected by outdated laws and slow reforms.

What’s even more alarming is the regression we’re seeing in some areas. With rising conflicts, economic pressures, and shrinking civic spaces, women’s rights are taking a hit.

UN Women points out that democratic backsliding and organized pushback against gender equality are making things worse. In places where conflicts rage, women and girls are often the first to suffer from violence and exclusion.

And let’s not forget the global stats: since 2015, women’s representation in parliaments has only crept up by 4.9 percentage points to 27.2 percent. At this rate, equal representation is still decades away.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The UN highlights that progress is possible—99 positive legal reforms have happened between 2019 and 2024 to remove discriminatory laws.

Countries are slowly enacting better protections against gender-based violence and pushing for equal opportunities. Still, the report calls for urgent action:

We need to accelerate reforms, invest in justice systems, and hold governments accountable. As someone who’s passionate about equality, I think this is a moment for us all to reflect and push harder—whether it’s supporting women’s rights organizations or voting for leaders who prioritize gender parity.

In the end, living in a world without full gender equality isn’t just unfair; it’s holding everyone back.

Let’s hope this report sparks the change we need before another International Women’s Day rolls around with the same warnings.

The UN continues to highlight global inequalities, from slow gender equality progress to the recent declaration that the transatlantic slave trade is the gravest crime against humanity.

The Oyo State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against cultism in tertiary institutions.

Two suspected cultists were arrested on the campus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, with a locally made firearm and various charms recovered during the operation.

The suspects reportedly confessed to planning an attack on rival cult members, raising fresh concerns about the persistence of cult-related violence in Nigerian polytechnics.

The arrest was carried out by operatives from the Anti-Cultism Unit following credible intelligence.

According to police sources, the two students were apprehended while allegedly trying to hide weapons and fetish items near one of the hostels.

A search led to the recovery of a single-barrel gun, live ammunition, and several charms believed to be used for protection during cult activities.

Why This Arrest Matters for Campus Safety

This incident is a stark reminder that cultism remains a serious threat in many Nigerian higher institutions, especially polytechnics.

It comes shortly after UniAbuja expelled 28 students for cultism and drug offenses, showing that both security agencies and school authorities are stepping up their game.

Ibadan Poly has had a history of cult-related clashes in the past, and many parents and students have expressed worry about the safety of the campus environment.

The quick response by the police shows that security agencies are stepping up efforts to tackle the menace before it escalates.

The suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged in court soon. The Polytechnic management has also been notified and is expected to take internal disciplinary action.

This development has sparked conversations among students about the need for stronger security measures and more awareness campaigns on the dangers of joining secret cults.

Authorities are urging students to stay away from cult groups and report any suspicious activities to the school security or police. For parents, this is another wake-up call to monitor their children’s associations while in school.

The Oyo State Police Command has promised to sustain the crackdown on cultism across all institutions in the state. With this arrest, they hope to send a strong message that no one is above the law on campus.

If you have a ward studying at Ibadan Poly or any other institution, this is a good time to have an honest conversation about the dangers of cultism and the importance of staying focused on academics.

The fight against cultism is ongoing, but operations like this prove that consistent vigilance can make a real difference.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has delivered a major blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) with a precision airstrike in the Sambisa Forest area of Borno State.

According to credible counter-insurgency reports, the operation eliminated several high-ranking commanders, including key figures known as Saddam and Saleh Garin Kago.

The strike, carried out early on Friday morning under Operation Hadin Kai, targeted confirmed terrorist hideouts and logistics warehouses in the Yuwe axis.

This development comes at a time when ISWAP has been trying to regroup and expand its influence in the Lake Chad region.

Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets played a critical role in identifying the exact locations before the air component executed the mission.

Local sources and security analysts describe the strike as one of the most effective in recent months, significantly disrupting ISWAP’s command structure and supply lines.

What the Strike Means for Security in Northeast Nigeria

The elimination of these top commanders is a significant setback for ISWAP. These individuals were reportedly responsible for coordinating attacks, managing logistics, and recruiting new members in the forest.

Their removal is expected to create temporary confusion within the group’s ranks and weaken its ability to launch large-scale operations in the short term.

For residents in Borno and surrounding states, this news brings cautious hope. Sambisa Forest has long served as a notorious hideout for both Boko Haram and ISWAP factions, making it a constant source of fear for communities.

The Nigerian military has intensified aerial and ground operations in recent years, and this latest success shows the effectiveness of intelligence-driven strikes.

However, security experts caution that ISWAP remains resilient. The group has a history of quickly replacing fallen leaders and adapting its tactics.

While this strike is a clear victory for the Nigerian Air Force, sustained pressure through combined air and ground efforts will be needed to prevent the terrorists from regrouping.

The NAF has not released an official statement on the number of casualties, but independent monitoring groups tracking the Lake Chad region have confirmed the deaths of the named commanders.

This operation adds to a growing list of successful counter-terrorism actions in the northeast, demonstrating improved coordination between intelligence units and the air force.

As Nigeria continues its fight against insurgency, operations like this highlight the importance of sustained funding, modern equipment, and timely intelligence.

This latest success adds to a growing list of effective counter-terrorism actions in the northeast.

It comes amid ongoing regional security challenges, including the US military deployment supporting Nigeria against ISWAP and earlier Lassa fever outbreaks linked to insecurity in Borno and surrounding states.”

For families living in affected areas, every successful strike brings them one step closer to peace and normalcy.

The military has urged citizens to continue providing credible information to security agencies, emphasizing that community support remains vital in the battle against terrorism in the region.

While the military scores wins in Sambisa, new security challenges have emerged with multiple explosions in Maiduguri, including at the Teaching Hospital and the Palm Sunday attack in Jos that left 20 dead.