Rivers State has achieved a major step toward gender equality with the development of a five-year Gender Policy (2024-2028).
The policy, awaiting government adoption, was developed through a joint effort by the Rivers State government, NGOs like Stakeholder Democracy Network (SDN), ALIVE, GADA, and key ministries.
The policy aims to tackle gender inequalities, promote women’s participation in governance, and ensure income security and protection from violence and discrimination.
To kickstart implementation, SDN launched a pilot training under the Women’s Training, Empowerment and Delivery (WTED) Project for 30 young women. The two-day event focused on leadership, political participation, and advocacy.
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Florence Ibok-Abasi, SDN Country Director, said women face key challenges in Nigeria and must be included in national development. “We believe that you cannot develop a nation with just men,” she said.
Supported by the Czech Embassy, Second Secretary Marie Nwanyanwu noted the project combines material help with skill-building. “We are covering eight other countries, and our Czech aid is spreading all around, ” she added.
Actress and mentor Hilda Dokubo stressed the power of advocacy.“We need to prepare them to take our place, and I would need some other people to use their voices on my behalf and on behalf of the next generation,” she said.
Participants like Nadia Asenibo and Merlin Taminemi praised the program for helping them understand policy-making and boosting their advocacy goals.
