IWD: Stakeholders Converge in Abuja, Strategizes on Improving Lives of Vulnerable Citizens

By: Michael Mike

Worried by the low level of women, children and Persons With Disabilities, (PWD), inclusion in the National affairs, stakeholders on Monday converged in Abuja to strategize on way forward in advocating for the vulnerable citizens in Nigeria.

The stakeholders at the second annual conference of Commissioners of State Ministries of Women Affairs organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs with support of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme noted that, achieving gender equality involved transforming social norms and power dynamics that supported the political, social and economic empowerment of the most marginalised and vulnerable, notably women , children and PWD.

Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim represented by her Senior Special Assistance,(SSA) on Women and Community Engagement, Princess Joan Idonije said the theme for this year, “accelerate action” is apt as there is need for renewed commitment, and bold action to tackle the issues of gender parity.

Suleiman-Ibrahim emphasized the need to critically evaluate the effectiveness of Nigeria’s policies and governance structures to ensure that collective interventions yield tangible and measurable impact, particularly at the sub-national level where the needs are most acute.

She said: “We must ensure that every intervention is tracked, evaluated, and reported. Investing in state-level gender data systems will enable us to measure progress and feed into the national Women’s Empowerment and Protection Dashboard — ensuring accountability and transparency in our collective efforts.

“The success of our policies will not be measured by the frameworks we create but by the lives we transform. We must break down silos and foster collaborative partnerships that amplify impact at every level. This is the time to forge bold, practical, and scalable solutions that accelerate progress for women, children, and persons with disabilities across Nigeria.”

She also expressed appreciation to RoLAC, and other development partners who continue to champion the cause of women, children, and vulnerable groups. Commending the State Commissioners for Women Affairs for their leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing gender equality at the sub-national level.

Head of Programme Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, Danladi Plang, on his part, tasked state commissioners on the need to pursue the enactment and implementation of relevant laws for women, children and PWD.

Plang called on relevant authorities to make available, resource allocations and investment for the sector to thrive beyond the rhetorics before the next election circle.

He said: “The core objectives of the Rule of Law Programme is to increase access to justice for women, children and persons with disabilities. Since 2017, in support of the European Union, we have been implementing this programme across five states in Phase 1 and currently we are working in seven states and the FCT.

“We have worked with our partners to do a number of things. Critical amongst them is some of the legislation that we have supported the various states to put, child protection law or what we know as the child rights law in some of the states, the VAPP law in some states and then the law that protects or prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities.

“The Ministries, in particular the commissioners, play a very big standard role to serve as catalysts, to change, to also serve as coordinators of implementation of policies in the states, but more importantly to serve as influencers within the cabinet.

Speaking on the sidelines with reporters at the event, Plang also disclosed that, the survivors of about 8000 have been assisted by the SARCs, stating that: “Last year we commission NCPWD to ensure that building are accessible, especially office buildings.
Ensure advocacy, with the Commissioners as they are in the states and when they do not have the laws, they are able to see the benefits of those that have and discuss with their governors. Through the Nigerian governors forum so that they can plan together and know what their counterparts are doing and learn to move the agenda forward.”

In his contribution, the Project Manager, Access to Justice RoLAC Programme, Oluwatoyosi Giwa while setting the tone and objectives, said the conference is poised at initiating narratives that will have direct impact and benefit for vulnerable citizens.

She said: “We hope that by the end of these three days, you will have action plans derived from the different presentations that have been made of things that you can go back and implement and that will make a difference in the lives of women, of children and of persons with disabilities in your various locations.

“Let us speak our truth and let us share our experience so that we can learn from each other and so that we can take back something tangible to go and make change in our various spaces.”

The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, for his part, noted that, almost all the Nigerian states have enacted the law but yet to implement.

He said, We need to explore these talents that women have. When you leave aside half of the population, you will miss specific talents that. Mixed groups with both women and men are more efficient than groups with only women or only men and this is very true for politics as well.

IWD: Stakeholders Converge in Abuja, Strategizes on Improving Lives of Vulnerable Citizens

UN Women commends Nigeria for implementing Beijing Platform for Action

By: Michael Mike

UN Women has commended Nigeria for the significant progress it has made in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action, especially in women’s political participation, economic empowerment, education, and the fight against gender-based violence.

UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Beatrice Eyong gave the commendation in Abuja on Monday at a high-level consultation on Nigeria’s Beijing+30 Report Review in preparation for the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).

Eyong explained that despite the progress made, there are still emerging challenges that require collective action to drive transformative change, restating UN Women’s commitment to support Nigeria in fast-tracking gender-responsive policies.

She said: “This consultation is a crucial step in ensuring that Nigeria’s national report for CSW69 is inclusive, reflective of diverse perspectives, and aligned with the realities of women and girls across the country.

“Your participation today—whether from government, civil society, academia, or the development sector—demonstrates our shared commitment to reviewing our progress, identifying key priorities, and shaping strategic recommendations that will contribute to Nigeria’s gender equality agenda beyond Beijing+30.

“At UN Women, we remain steadfast in our support to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and all stakeholders in accelerating gender-responsive policies, strengthening women’s leadership, and ensuring sustained progress on the commitments made under the BPfA.”

According to the UN Women Country Representative, Nigeria needs to assess its achievements, challenges, and emerging priorities in preparation for the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).

She noted that: “This consultation is an essential follow-up to the initial report drafted in November 2024, providing a platform to comprehensively enrich and refine the document through a participatory and inclusive approach. The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, in collaboration with UN Women and key stakeholders, has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s report is not only robust and reflective of our national realities but also aligned with global best practices.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women, remains one of the most comprehensive global policy frameworks for achieving gender equality.”

She said that constitution identified 12 critical areas of concern that require urgent action, including Women and poverty, Education and training of women, Women and health, Violence against women, and Women and armed conflict.

Other areas she listed were Women and the economy, Women in power and decision-making, Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women, Human rights of women, Women and the media, Women and the environment, as well as the girl child.

Also speaking Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who was represented by the Director Women Development, Mrs. Friya Bulus, pointed out that the platform creates an avenue to celebrate the achievements being made by Nigeria, and the way forward as a country.

She said: “We are here today to recognize the progress we’ve made, Beijing plus 30, and to assess our performance, to look at the report we’ve been able to put together, to assess our areas of challenges, look at what we need to push out as best practices over the years, and also look at what has constituted major challenges to women economic empowerment and gender equality.

“Our strategic review today of Nigeria’s progress in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action over the 30 years is very, very strategic.”

She however implored participants to critically look at the reports that have been produced over time, because it took some concerted efforts to put together the Beijing Plus 30 report for Nigeria.

UN Women commends Nigeria for implementing Beijing Platform for Action

CAPPA organizes round table for reporters in Borno as the polity counts down to 2027 election year

By: Bodunrin Kayode

As part of its commitment to promoting citizen participation and non-violent engagements before, during, and post-election era, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) recently organised a two-day capacity-building training for media practitioners in Borno State.

The training organized with the support of the European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU EDGN), attracted the cream of reporters in Borno state with the aim of refreshing their skills at promoting peace during elections through conflict-sensitive reporting.

Speakers during the two days session included media and civil society activists which exposed media practitioners to elements of media coverage, inclusive reporting and fact-checking of the electoral processes in Nigeria.

CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, while welcoming participants, noted that the media as a critical stakeholder has a crucial role to play in fostering peace during the pre-and post-election periods.

Oluwafemi, represented by the Policy and Research Manager of CAPPA, Zikora Ibeh, harped on the need to promote non-biased reporting even as political reporters becoming conversant with the nation’s electoral process.

Speaking on the topic “Expanding Nigeria’s Democracy and Civic Space: The Media as Drivers for Sustainable Democracy,” Olufemi maintained that journalists can effectively use their pen to shape the country’s economic situation and hold the government accountable to the people.

He acknowledged the historical role and contribution of the media towards Nigeria’s independence and entrenchment of the present democracy, adding that journalists remain critical stakeholders of the country’s electoral process.

In his paper on “The Media’s Role as Society’s Watchdog” Robert Egbe, Media and Communications Officer at CAPPA noted that the media plays a vital role in ensuring good governance and accountability in Nigeria.

“However, it faces numerous challenges that threaten its ability to fulfil this role effectively. To strengthen its watchdog role, the media must adhere to professional standards, and find innovative ways to overcome economic constraints which will strengthen it to better resist government interference.

“By upholding its watchdog role, the media can contribute significantly to building a more just, equitable, and democratic Nigeria,” Egbe added.

Project Assistant, EU-SDGN II initiative at CAPPA, Chidinma Eferebo, whose presentation was delivered by Abayomi Sarumi, Senior Programme & Digital Campaign Manager, CAPPA, identified the goals of the training, including “to examine challenges facing journalists in reporting elections and electioneering processes in Nigeria and to build the capacities of journalists in non-biased reporting and promotion of peaceful and nonviolent electoral processes.

Shade Oyelade, Policy and Legal Drafting Officer, CAPPA stressed journalists understanding of the laws governing their profession and election reportage through her presentation titled: ‘The Electoral Law and Provisions for the Media’.

She noted that “Understanding and adhering to electoral laws and media provisions is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

“These laws, regulations, codes, and guidelines ensure that voters receive accurate and unbiased information, contribute to fair and competitive elections, and uphold the tenets of the democratic process.

“The media as an essential fulcrum of the electoral process plays a strategic role in ensuring this is attainable.”

Abayomi Sarumi, Programme & Digital Campaign Manager, CAPPA, in his contribution titled “Fact-checking and the digital media trends”, emphasised, among others, the need for journalists to confirm information before publishing.

He introduced participants to media resources that can enhance their reportage, including Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye.com for images and RevEye.com or InVid for videos.

An engaging session on “Conflict Sensitive Journalism: Election and Post-Election Roles of the Media” was presented by Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director of International Press Centre (IPC), represented by Gbenga Akingbule, correspondent of the Wall Street Journal.

Arogundade stressed on the need to acquire several skills, including how to carry out conflict analysis and mapping in the context of elections, know how to de-escalate electoral conflicts and provide peace messages, how to respect the sensibilities of others, especially vulnerable groups during elections and how to play a desired role in the management of electoral conflicts.

Blessing Oladunjoye, Publisher, BO News Service in her paper titled ‘Inclusive Reporting: Understanding Elections and Disability Act’, highlighted the provisions of the Disability Act and how journalists need to shape their reports to enhance the smooth participation of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in the electoral process.

Oladunjoye, who stressed the importance of using the right language in reporting disability issues during elections, charged journalists to ensure a positive portrayal of PWDs in media reports.

In her remarks, she maintained that “Inclusive election reporting is crucial for a fair and democratic process. Journalists should play a key role in ensuring that the voices of marginalized groups; women, youths and PWDs are heard and respected.

“Journalists should also commit to inclusive practices in election reporting and supporting initiatives that promote the rights of marginalized groups in the electoral process, bearing in mind that elections are not limited to the polls.”. She posited.

In her interactive presentation titled: “Post-Session Reactions & Commitment Building” CAPPA’s Policy and Research Manager, Zikora Ibeh commended the media for their efforts in safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.

She charged journalists not to be daunted by challenges in carrying out their duties but to continue in their agenda setting roles which is very important for the progress of our hard earned democracy.

CAPPA organizes round table for reporters in Borno as the polity counts down to 2027 election year