FG Revisits Gender Policy, Says 50% Not Representing Reality

 Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

The federal government has stated that the low participation of women in governance and leadership positions, particularly in politics which has recorded far below 50 per cent, is unacceptable.

It added that such decimals do not reflect the reality of the situations, which show that women are about half of the population.

The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Women Affairs, Monilola Udoh, who made this known at the two-day dissemination/sensitisation workshop in the revised 2021- 2026 National Gender Policy for the North-central geo- political zone in Abuja, said for Nigeria to thrive, half of its population cannot be left behind.

She said to bridge the gender social inclusion gaps, among other factors that have mitigated the inclusion of women in leadership and decision processes, states must domesticate the rights of women which have since been passed into law.

She lamented that many women and girls still face discrimination on the basis of sex and gender, while reiterating that this trend gave rise to the review of the 2006 National Gender Policy.

“We can never develop if 50 per cent of the population are left behind. Fifty per cent is not representing reality. We are tired of pet programmes. We must be brought into the mainstream.

“The overall goal of the 2021 National Gender Policy is to build a just society in which women, girls, and other vulnerable groups will enjoy the same opportunities, rights, obligations in all spheres of life, devoid of discrimination; where their needs and concerns are mainstreamed equitably into all sectors of national development.

“The strategic objectives of the revised National Gender Policy are to: Bridge gender/social inclusion gaps and achieve parity in all spheres of life, protect women’s human rights and mitigate sexual and gender-based violence, through appropriate buffers and related services.

“Explore and fully harness women’s human capital assets, as a growth driver for national development through women’s economic empowerment. Advance women’s participation and representation in leadership and governance.

“Support women and girls’ education, lifelong health, survival and sustainable development;

“Ensure that gender equity concerns are integrated into social protection and complex humanitarian actions, legislation and policies; and

“Ensure that socially excluded groups are mainstreamed into development projects and programmes of government.”