The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development convened a significant meeting of the Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) structure in Lokoja, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with technical partners dedicated to uplifting women, vulnerable groups, and individuals with disabilities.
During the meeting, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatimah Momoh, addressed stakeholders from various sectors to provide an update on the current status of the Kogi GEWE structure and to explore strategies for enhancing coordination among partners.
Commissioner Momoh reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to raising awareness about gender equality issues, empowering women and girls to make informed decisions regarding their health, education, and economic futures, and engaging communities in the fight against gender inequality. She highlighted the ministry’s efforts to reduce gender-based violence (GBV) and to increase women’s participation in policymaking and economic development.
In her remarks, Hajia Fatimah Momoh expressed gratitude to the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his inclusive agenda, which has significantly advanced women’s representation in the state. She urged all stakeholders to support the passage of the bill for special seats for women in the National Assembly, emphasizing the critical importance of representation.
The Commissioner also underscored the necessity for Kogi State to actively engage in gender-related issues, citing the successful coordination achieved in 2024, which was evident in the robust activities carried out during the 16 Days of Activism. This initiative was recognized as one of the most impactful in Nigeria, fostering collaboration among various groups across the state.
Mr. Inah Isaac, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics (PRS) of the Ministry and Secretary of the North Central GEWE Coordination Platform, also spoke at the meeting, noting that the Kogi GEWE platform was officially launched on the 8th of 8th November, 2024, to take care of gender related cases in the state and gave a background review of the journey so far.
Also speaking , the Executive Director of Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI).Ms. Eunice Abimbola Agbogun informed stakeholders that the United Nations GEWE meeting was held across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria to discuss gender equality issues with the aim of improving gender equality and women empowerment throughout the country, noting that the launch of the North Central Coordination Structure took place at Illorin Kwara State in September, 2024.
She highlighted some challenges faced by the UN Women in effective monitoring of the GEWE Coordination structure since the launch of the platform in 2024 to include; coordination around funding, operational consistency, and synergy between state and CSO’s on GEWE implementation noting that Mapping of Multi stakeholders, Reviewing the developed and adopted terms of reference, Joint Assessment of GEWE situation and needs in the state, among others as key steps for ensuring full implementation of the programme.
A participant at the event, Professor Ofure Aito of the Federal University of Lokoja noted that the cultural identity of the people shouldn’t be neglected stressing that everyone should be cautious on how communities are dealt with on gender issues.
At the end of the meeting, Steps and Recommendations taken includes that the GEWE physical meeting should be held quarterly, a platform for advocacy should be set up to help drive GEWE while wives of traditional rulers should be involved in the GEWE structure across the State.
Joseph Adama
Information Officer
Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
