Accountability Lab Nigeria, alongside the Data and Digital Rights Coalition, is urging for the informal implementation of equal gender policies until they receive formal legal backing from the National Assembly.
Speaking at a two-day capacity building workshop for officials involved in the development and implementation of the National Gender Policy, Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odeh, emphasized that while awaiting the passage of the bill on equal gender policy, proactive steps can be taken to ensure effective implementation.
Odeh explained that although the bill, once passed, will make it obligatory to consider and apply equal gender principles in all engagements, implementing gender inclusion at a policy or personal level is a practice that can be actively promoted by individuals and organizations.
He highlighted the National Gender Policy’s foundation on five key pillars and stressed the importance of widespread sensitization to encourage individuals and organizations to study the policy’s contents and incorporate them into their programs and policies.
Odeh appealed to National Assembly members to reconsider the policy and push for the bill’s passage, as well as presidential assent, to provide significant opportunities for all genders to realize their potential.
Ehi Idakwo, Programmes and Learning Manager at Accountability Lab Nigeria, underscored the need for the workshop, aiming to promote gender equality, equity, and social inclusion through the revised National Gender Policy. She emphasized the importance of helping Nigerians understand the policy and translating it into actionable strategies.
Idakwo referenced the rejection of bills related to citizenship, indigeneship, and women’s representation in legislative and political party leadership positions in March 2022, highlighting the prevailing tendency to sideline gender issues in Nigeria. She expressed hope that the workshop would raise awareness of the National Gender Policy and enhance participants’ capacity to contribute to gender equality initiatives.
The workshop, organized in collaboration with the Women’s Right Advancement Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and sponsored by the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), received support from Mathilda Ovellet, a representative of CFLI. Ovellet emphasized the critical role of Accountability Lab Nigeria in promoting awareness and understanding of the revised National Gender Policy, which aims to create a safe and inclusive environment for women to achieve their full potential, thereby advancing towards a gender-equal society beneficial for all.
