Niger

The avenues for Nigerien women’s political participation have shrunk amidst corruption and repression. Many civil society groups, including women’s groups, boycotted a February 2025 national commission regarding the country’s future—in part due to the fear that the leader’s election would solidify a culture of silence and continued suppression of political dissent and peaceful protest. Women’s groups in Niger have a legacy of political activism, including their involvement in the 1991 protest that expanded women’s political representation. Over the past year, however, forced disappearances of political activists and journalists have increased in Niger, suppressing the voices of women leaders. Women and girls who live in areas governed by extremist groups—including JNIM and ISSP—face particular challenges, including forced marriages and heightened security threats due to instability and the erosion of their rights. Following US foreign aid cuts, humanitarian resources are increasingly strained, while disinformation regarding USAID on Niger’s social media platforms further hinders aid efforts. Dwindling resources, access constraints, and restrictions on NGO operations—most notably a ban on the International Committee of the Red Cross by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—endanger women and girls who rely on humanitarian aid to meet their basic needs.

Extremist violence will remain a threat to women’s wellbeing as these groups continue to clash with security forces and seek to entrench their foothold. The Islamic State is also now expanding its influence throughout the region. Russian mercenaries, who have been implicated in sexual violence in other countries in which they operate, are likely to become more involved as Niger seeks to expand security partnerships. Amidst growing anti-West sentiment and crackdowns on mainstream civil society, grassroots initiatives will remain a vital avenue by which to reach women and girls in need of aid and services; for instance, by providing education and safe spaces to young girls. The strengthening of armed groups, however, in Niger and in neighboring countries, will continue to stoke volatility and displacement in an increasingly resource-scarce environment.

In October 2025, several Islamic extremist groups increased their presence in Niger. The Islamic State-Sahel Province (ISSP) carried out attacks on heavily populated civilian areas and local government buildings. JNIM is encroaching into Niger through the Benin border and has killed Nigerien farmers and burned homes. The worsening security situation in the region poses a threat to the safety of women and girls and risks greater repression of their rights in any areas seized by ISSP or JNIM.

Women and children make up around 80 percent of those displaced across Niger, leaving them highly vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV), trafficking, and exploitation. Escalating clashes between armed groups and the military have driven 18,000 people from their homes, while new UN data shows that displacement across the Sahel has surpassed four million people—a two-thirds increase in five years—driven by hunger, insecurity, and collapsing services.

The Nigerien justice minister met with his counterparts in Mali and Burkina Faso on September 22, 2025 to formally announce their withdrawal from the ICC. The move could undermine justice efforts for victims of war crimes, including sexual violence.

The ruling military junta has cracked down on political participation, narrowing openings through which women can advocate for their needs. An August 2025 UN report found that during recent political institutional reforms in Niger, only 14 percent of participants were women. Women also face strict patriarchal norms which further marginalize them from politics and civil society. 

UN Women’s Regional Director met with female civil society leaders and affirmed that the organization would continue to work alongside local women’s groups. Additionally, the director met with the Nigerien Minister of Foreign Affairs to discuss support for the nation’s WPS Agenda as it expired in 2024 with no current discussion regarding its renewal.

Women’s participation in local peacebuilding initiatives has risen from five percent to 25 percent along the Niger-Mali border. These women have been instrumental in resolving more than 100 community disputes over natural resources. Local women’s groups have also been active in community peacebuilding efforts, donating money and goods to programs combating terrorism and working to restore political rights following the July 2023 military coup.