Gender Social Inclusion Policy: Kaduna Forum Strategise To Ensure Full Implementation

Critical stakeholders working on the implementation of Gender Social Inclusion (GESI) policy in Kaduna State on Tuesday held a reflection meeting to Strategise on full implementation of the policy.

These stakeholders which comprise of civil society, security agencies, traditional and religious institutions, social workers, female lawyers, interfaith group and media believed that, if the policy is well implemented, it would afford women to participate more in politics.

But, to make that happen, there is the need for the political parties and INEC to key into the project which is supported by the National Democratic Institute (NDI). 

It is important to add that, while GESI is being discussed, Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law 2018, is receiving public attention.

Under VAPP law, some of the highlighted issues hindering its full implementation include but not limited to undue influence to surpress offences, stigmatization, unavailability of information/data on abuse cases, slow and marred judicial process.

Others are lack of professionalism by some security agencies, inadequate service providers, threat and harassment of media, cultural and religious barriers and administrative bottlenecks.

As a result, participants at the meeting suggested other means of information dissemination to the public and the need to improve on awareness creation on GESI policy beyond the conventional means.

Earlier, the Executive Director, Legal Awareness for Nigerian Women (LANW), the organisation that facilitated the meeting, Barrister Rebecca Sako-John dwelled on the overview of electoral empowerment of civil society project and implementation of GESI policy in Kaduna.

The meeting, which took place at the conference room, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development, was well attended by the stakeholders.

Sola Ojo Sent In This Report