The Rivers State commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Roseline Uranta has received a draft copy of the state Gender Policy, a domesticated and updated version of the National Gender Policy put together by Stakeholder Democracy Network, SDN and a consortium of experts on gender matters in the state.
The project which started before the 2023 general elections is targeted at the delivery of a more accountable and inclusive governance in Rivers State, working with community champions and government the project officer, Flora Asieri told an assembly of stakeholders who gathered at the Rivers State Women affairs Hall for the validation exercise that preceded the handover.
Recognizing that policies are not often implemented especially, as information is not disseminated, resulting in policies not having desired value at community level, the new draft takes a holistic look at policies for robust tracking.
Flora explained that donor agencies need holistic robust policies to be attracted to sponsor programmes, and expressed gratitude to UK Foreign office for funding the project, which she said, provides for gender mainstreaming across board
Women Affairs commissioner, described the gathering for the validation of the state gender policy a sign of progress, “judging from issues critically looked into on gender at an earlier meeting”.
“The gender policy is aimed at bringing the National Gender Policy into Rivers State (domestication). The Ministry of Women Affairs mandate is to ensure the protection of women and girls, collective fairness to all gender as good life is beneficial to all”, the commissioner stated as she pledged the ministry’s support.
Social Welfare commissioner Mrs Ine Aguma said the policy is, “what we have been waiting for” describing it as, “getting advantage to the disadvantaged.”
She commended the Women Affairs commissioner for commitment to the project and expressed conviction that the gender policy being unveiled will not fail as budgetary lines make implementation of policies smooth.
She charged stakeholders to give it their best, make necessary contributions so that the outcome shall be the talk of the time.
Lead consultant of the gender policy domestication, Mrs Florence Amiesimaka said the policy covers 2024 to 2026 and is a follow-up on an earlier draft that did not see the light of day.
She said the 90-page document covers all vital areas, stressing that gender mainstreaming is important for good governance.
“For good governance, you must have a policy that speaks to the needs of women, needs of boys/girls- the vulnerable. Promotion and protection of women’s rights are critical for state cohesion,” Amiesimaka stressed.
The FIDA international official said a collaborative and inclusive approach to governance envisaged in the policy, assigns roles; allows for voices to be heard and interests balanced, adding that gender analysis is important for all programmes designed whether by government or communities.
