…decries ‘frightening’ gender-gaps in Nigeria.
by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
A one-day training organised by a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), known as ‘Women Economic Empowerment’ (WEE), has decried as frightening the gender gaps in Nigeria and called for urgent steps to bridge the gap so that this plan can be replicated and fully adopted.
Speaking during the training, the Budget Foundation State Officer, Idoko Sunday, said, the core objective of the training was to draw the attention of key stakeholders in Plateau State so that the plan can be replicated and fully adopted, saying, “Ultimately, this will help close the gender disparity gap, which is one of the major aims of the programme.
“We are bringing awareness to the grassroots. This is the socialization stage of the project. The first-phase of the E-Project aims to engage stakeholders – like to promote the Action Policy,” he said.
According to him, “This policy has been in place since 2023; yet, many people are still unaware of it. In fact, some are hearing about it for the first time today.
“We have community leaders, donors, people with disabilities, representatives from NUG, the Ministry of Women Affairs, civic tech experts, and NGOs.”
The State Officer further explained that, “The goal is to ensure that this policy is effectively implemented and domesticated in Plateau State, making it accessible to the grassroots.”
He said, his organization has been actively involved in community sensitization through the Budget Foundation, which runs a programme, called, “Tracker.”
“This initiative,” he said, “focuses on grassroots engagement ensuring that information does not stop at this event but is carried down to communities.”
He added that, through Tracker, they conduct community sensitization campaigns, spreading the message about this policy, and they encourage people to engage their House of Representatives members, community leaders, government officials, and other key stakeholders.
Mr. Sunday stated further that, “This way, the message of the ‘WE Campaign’ will continues to spread, ensuring that more people get involved in advocating for and implementing the policy at the local level.”
He asserted that, their work does not end here: “We take it to the people, ensuring they are informed, engaged, and part of the process. It is a call to action, urging them to take ownership of this policy and push for its implementation.”
While expecting participants to take action, he added that, “The Four Key calls to action; it’s to become a WEE Community Champion – taking the message to your communities and actively advocate for the policy, participate in raising awareness and continue to inform others about the policy and its benefits.
“Others are to support women whether in politics, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), workplaces, or small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We must actively support women in their various endeavors and encourage inclusivity by ensuring that women are not left behind in decision-making and leadership roles.
“With these actions, we can drive meaningful change and ensure that this policy translates into real impact in our communities,” he stated.
Also, the Senior Ward Head of Jenta Adamu, Jos North Local Government Area, Da Cabala Bako Bwede, expressed delight with the programme because it is inclusive, saying, the focus is on women – how to eradicate poverty, improve their economic status, and empower them in business so they can contribute meaningfully to the nation.
Idoko Sunday assured to take it back to his community and ensure they address cultural barriers so that they can empower their women to participate fully in economic activities, saying, “This will help eradicate poverty in our community.”
The Budget Foundation State Officer observing that, many women are held back by intimidation and cultural barriers, making them afraid to step forward. “We need to create awareness and encourage them to come out boldly because they are equal stakeholders in the community. When women are empowered, their children benefit as well,” he said.
He urged the government to adopt an “inclusive approach,” focusing on women, girls, and people with disabilities, adding that, “People with disabilities face many challenges; yet, they are often neglected by the government, the community, and society at large.
“This neglect has made them dependent on others, but they have great potential. If given the right training and opportunities, they can contribute significantly to society,” he stated.