By Edebor Esther
Edo State Government through the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ) has organized a two-day policy implementation workshop for the Gender Technical Working Group, with the theme ‘Good Practices, Resources, and Tools for Policy Implementation’, in Benin City.
In her opening remarks, the Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Hon. Christabel Ekwu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Barbara Osobajo, expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their contributions to the policy development.
According to her, “I am excited to see dedicated individuals interested in making gender equality a reality in Edo for the benefit of all Edo people. We are here to start the effective implementation of the Gender Policy drafted in 2023 in Edo. We want to ensure that each of us contributes to the implementation process of gender equality in the State.”
Ekwu emphasized the importance of creating an equitable society, adding that with the commitment of the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration, the State is at the forefront of achieving the goal, noting that the Edo State Gender Policy serves as a guide for stakeholders to ensure equitable distribution of resources and opportunities across board. She pledged to take the message further to the communities in order to sensitize Edo people to effectively play their roles.
Also speaking, the Edo State Coordinator for GIZ, Helen Igboka, stated that they are intentional about mainstreaming gender equality in the State, while shedding light on the roadmap and how far the State, in collaboration with GIZ, has come in ensuring gender sensitivity.
According to her, “The journey started in 2022 with a request from the State to collaborate and push gender sensitivity by domesticating the National Gender Policy in the State. In 2023, the State Gender Policy was drafted and validated to ensure it captures the needs of the State and then the implementation. We want to see how well we can, as a State, implement this policy that we have jointly developed.”
The workshop covered various areas including Knowledge Management Systems, Policy Dynamics, Gender Transformative Approach for Implementation, Reporting Mechanisms, Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks, Dissemination, and Sustainability of the Edo State Gender Policy. The event aimed at equipping participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to mainstream gender equality in their respective institutions and report progress effectively.
Highpoint of the workshop was the presentation of certificates to participants by the Commissioner and the GIZ-SKYE Component Managers. The Capacity Development Workshop marks a crucial step towards achieving gender equality in Edo State and stakeholders have pledged commitment toward ensuring its successful implementation.
