NGO wants National Gender Policy implementation in Akwa Ibom

UYO – Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), in Collaboration with Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative, (WRAPA) has Advocated for the full implementation of The National Gender Policy in all sectors in Akwa Ibom state.

In a roundtable meeting with Sector Leaders on Promoting Gender Equality and social Inclusion held in Uyo Yesterday, Head of Programmes WARDC, Mrs Emmanuella Azu disclosed this at a roundtable meeting with sector leaders on promoting gender equality and social inclusion in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital yesterday.

She said, the organization’s mission was to ensure gender justice, eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the state and the country at large.

Azu also stated that, the aim of the meeting was to mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment concerns into the national development process in order to improve the social, legal, civic, political, economic, and cultural conditions of the people of Nigeria; particularly women and men, boys and girls, elderly, poor and persons living with disabilities in an appreciable manner as required by national and international frameworks.

She added that the workshop received support from WRAPA and funding from MacArthur Foundation and that the meeting became imperative as agents of social change in Nigeria to speak against female genital mutilation, early marriages, widowhood practices, the denial of girls’ rights to education and all forms of violence against women and girls to encourage economic growth and sustainability.

“We acknowledge the need of the Sector Leaders to promote gender Equality and social Inclusion in Akwa Ibom, we understand how best to educate and communicate with the leaders for effective partnerships.

“The policy is targeting the following areas: gender in education and training; health; agriculture, food security and nutrition; natural resources; environment, economic development; governance and human rights.

“The policy also prioritizes gender perspective in gender based violence and capacity of the national gender machinery.

“The NGP is pushing vigorously for a level playing field in terms of gender equity and social inclusion in all spheres of life, thereby promoting the Gender Equality, Empowerment of Women, and Social Inclusion Agenda (GESI)

“We urged the residents to respect every Human Rights within an approved Framework because it is the right thing to do, the smart thing to do and it can drive economic growth, prosperity and reduced poverty in the state.

Also speaking, the commissioner for women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr Ini Adiakpan commended the NGO for intensifying advocacy for National Gender Policy, added that it will help eradicate poverty in the state .

The commissioner urged all government ministries to have data their male and female staff, to encourage equality and Equity during employment, she advised all stakeholders to be more gender sensitive, ensuring more attention to addressing issues affecting women and people living with disabilities in their various sectors

Adiakpan also advocated for women to have access to farm land to boost productivity and economic growth in the state and also advised women on acquiring landed properties and prepared Wills to avoid to avoid calamities on their demise.

She frowned at the level of Child Labour in the state, assuring that state government will set up a committee to ensure child labour is put to an end in Akwa Ibom.

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