01/05/2026
On this International Workers’ Day, Alliances for Africa (AfA) raises its voice for a truth that can no longer be side-lined: work must not come at the cost of our mental health, dignity, or sense of safety.
Under this year’s call to action “Let’s ensure a healthy psychosocial working environment” we spotlight the lived realities of countless workers, especially women, who navigate not only economic pressures but also toxic workplaces, harassment, burnout, and invisible emotional strain.
For many Nigerian women, the workplace extends beyond offices and factories into homes, markets, and informal spaces, where protections are weakest, and the toll on mental and emotional well-being is often ignored. A healthy workplace is not just about physical safety; it is about respect, inclusion, fair treatment, and the freedom to exist and thrive without fear, stress, or discrimination.
At AfA, we believe psychosocial wellbeing is a workers’ right, not a privilege. This means:
👉 Work environments free from harassment, intimidation, and gender-based violence
👉 Systems that recognize and address burnout, stress, and emotional labour
👉 Policies that centre dignity, fairness, and mental health support
👉 A culture where speaking up is safe, and being heard is guaranteed
We call on governments, employers, and institutions to move beyond rhetoric and take deliberate action to build workplaces that protect both the body and the mind.
To every worker showing up, pushing through, and demanding better, you deserve more than survival. You deserve wellbeing, respect, and justice.
AfA stands in solidarity, today and always.
Happy International Workers’ Day!
Femnet Secretariat MacArthur Foundation African Women's Development Fund Mama Cash Co-Impact Nigerian Feminist Forum Global Rights Nigeria ActionAid Nigeria Ford Foundation Amnesty International AmplifyChange Urgent Action Fund-Africa
