The Programmes and Project Coordinator, Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Yemisi Nathaniel has called on the need to update the knowledge of the gender desk officers in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies on the revised National Gender Policy and what is expected of them as the 2023 general elections draws closer.
She noted this in Abuja, when WRAPA trained no fewer than 30 gender desk officers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and various security agencies, on the implementation of revised National Gender Policy.
The training which was supported by the MacArthur Foundation, was carried out under its “Improving Electoral Integrity and Accountability (IEIA) Project” had in attendance security personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Police Force, among others.
She said they were onboarding INEC gender desk officers and desk officers from the various security agencies in order to ensure that the newly validated National Gender Policy is popularised.
Also, WRAPA Programme Officer on the IEIA Project, Zainab Abdulrasheed explained that WRAPA IEIA project seems to ensure that all relevant institutions in various sectors of government in the country, mainstream gender in their implementation and processes towards ensuring no one is left behind.
“This is essential in ensuring that as the 2023 elections is around the corner, stakeholders directly involved in ensuring a free and fair election know the relevance of adopting gender equity and social inclusion in the political space,” she said.
Also, gender expert and facilitator at the training, Prof. Olabisi Aina said the policy is to protect not just women but vulnerable groups and all Nigerians.
Aina, who is a lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, added that it was important to fill gender gaps in developing countries, especially in Nigeria, in other to promote national development.
