UN Women has praised Nigeria for its advancements in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action, focusing on women’s political, economic, and educational empowerment. The UK Parliament supports a bill for special parliamentary seats for women, while UBA announces initiatives celebrating International Women’s Day and promoting gender equality. Stakeholders emphasize the need for strategies to enhance women’s participation in political and economic spheres, aiming for continuous progress in gender equality.
Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, UN Women has praised Nigeria for its considerable advancements in executing the Beijing Platform for Action. These improvements notably pertain to women’s political participation, economic empowerment, education, and combating gender-based violence. Ms. Beatrice Eyong, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, recognized these strides at a high-level consultation in Abuja for the Nigeria Beijing+30 Report Review, in preparation for the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).
Simultaneously, the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has expressed support for a bill advocating for special seats for women in both the National and State Houses of Assembly. This initiative emerges as the constitutional review process progresses within the National Assembly. In related news, UBA Plc plans a series of events throughout March aimed at celebrating International Women’s Day and emphasizing gender equality and financial empowerment across Africa.
Concerned about the marginalization of women, children, and persons with disabilities, stakeholders convened in Abuja to devise strategies for advocating vulnerable groups. At a conference organized by the Ministry of Women Affairs and supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) Programme, participants emphasized the need for social transformation to empower these groups.
Furthermore, the Balm in Gilead Foundation for Sustainable Development has called upon stakeholders to bolster women’s political participation. In discussions regarding the gender quota and women’s engagement in politics, participants lamented the underrepresentation of women despite their substantial demographic presence. Ms. Beatrice Eyong reiterated the need for collective efforts to tackle emerging challenges in gender equality despite progress thus far.
In addressing the current educational and economic empowerment of women, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, underlined the importance of celebrating achievements made since Beijing+30. This strategic review aims to evaluate progress and identify challenges, focusing on areas urgently needing attention such as women’s poverty and health, violence against women, and decision-making powers.
Members of the UK Parliament included their support for special parliamentary seats for women during a visit to Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The legislative proposal seeks to introduce designated seats for women in Parliament, enhancing their representation significantly. Akpabio assured that the bill would receive careful consideration in the National Assembly to further bolster democracy.
In celebrating International Women’s Day, UBA will execute various initiatives, including health webinars and business events focusing on women’s entrepreneurship. The bank’s aims include promoting financial literacy and creating opportunities for women’s advancement by distributing care kits to schoolgirls. Oliver Alawuba, UBA’s Group Managing Director, emphasized the importance of supporting women in economic growth and societal transformation.
Additionally, the Balm in Gilead Foundation aims to engage stakeholders in strengthening the understanding of gender quota systems to promote women’s political participation. This objective involves fostering partnerships among non-state actors advocating for inclusive political reforms. The dialogue aims to enhance women’s involvement in policy-making across Nigeria.
Overall, the discussions highlighted the urgent need for evaluative frameworks to measure the efficacy of gender-responsive interventions. The Minister of Women Affairs advocated for improved tracking and accountability in gender data systems to enhance transparency, ensuring that interventions yield significant developmental impacts, particularly at the local level.
In summary, Nigeria’s progress in implementing the Beijing Platform for Action has garnered commendation from UN Women, emphasizing the nation’s efforts in advancing women’s rights and participation. Various stakeholders, including the UK Parliament and private sectors like UBA, are advocating for increased representation and support for women. The discussions underline the necessity for continuous evaluation and reform to ensure effective strategies for gender equality in Nigeria.
Original Source: www.thisdaylive.com
