Evaluation of the Role of Non-Governmental Organisations in Promoting Women’s Rights in Anambra State

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) serve as critical intermediaries between formal policy frameworks and community-level gender equality outcomes in Nigeria, particularly in states with strong patriarchal traditions. This study evaluates the role and effectiveness of NGOs in promoting women's rights in Anambra State, focusing on organisations operating in Awka, Onitsha, and Nnewi. A mixed-method design was employed, combining structured questionnaires for 180 beneficiaries with key informant interviews of 20 NGO programme officers and government officials. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings indicate that NGOs contribute most significantly to legal literacy, GBV survivor support, and girls' education advocacy, but their reach is constrained by funding instability, geographic concentration in urban centres, and limited collaboration with traditional institutions. Beneficiaries report improved knowledge of rights, increased confidence in seeking legal redress, and greater economic agency following NGO programme participation. However, sustainability challenges and dependency on donor priorities limit long-term community impact. Recommendations include government co-funding frameworks for NGOs working on gender rights, structured partnerships between NGOs and traditional rulers, and investment in rural outreach capacity. This study enriches the literature on civil society's contribution to gender equality in South East Nigeria. Keywords: NGOs, women's rights, Anambra State, gender equality, civil society