NIGERIA: DOMESTICATION OF THE MAPUTO PROTOCOL

 On the 26th of June 2025, a 'Stakeholders' meeting on domesticating the Maputo Protocol in Nigeria' was convened by 'BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights'. The theme of the parley was 'Paving the way for women's rights & political power in Nigeria'. The Executive Director, BAOBAB, Yeye Olubunmi Dipo-Salami facilitated the engaging meeting held at Novare Mall Hall 2, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja 

L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (Representative, Women Affairs Secretariat - WAS Abuja) & Yeye Bunmi Dipo-Salami (ED BAOBAB)

Some of the objectives of the meeting are:

* To move the needle on the domestication of the Maputo Protocol (MP)

* To assess effort and progress towards the domestication of the MP in Nigeria

* To engage strategic actors, raise awareness and foster dialogue on the relevance and urgency of domesticating the MP

* To present female politicians who recently completed a twelve week mentorship programme

* Identify practical strategies and entry points for transformative advocacy to speed up the demestication process

The meeting began with an overview of the agenda, workshop objectives and participants' expectations. My expectation:

* Participants emerge from the meeting with a firm resolve to stop working in silos

* Gain more insight about what the Women Affairs Secretariat (WAS) could do in addition to her current effort to accelerate the process of domesticating the MP

* More strategies to create awareness about the MP

Four government Agencies were represented:

* Office of the Senator representing the FCT in the Upper House - Sen. Ireti Kingibe (Represented by Mrs. Mweuese Anande) 

* Women Affairs Secretariat (WAS) Mandate Secretary, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi (Represented by Dr. Dayo Kusa)

* National Institute for Legislative & Democratic Studies (NILDS) DG Prof. Abubakar Suleiman (Represented online by Dr. Emily Ihide)

* The National Assembly (NASS) represented

I noted that the DG of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman is a gender sensitive CEO and male champion for women's rights who I have encountered on many occasions. The inroad for the MP into the NASS could be the 'Special Seats Bill' now before members and the Gender Technical Unit (GTU). WAS has been working in many areas in consonance with the provisions of the MP, without specifically linking same to it.

I informed participants that some of the areas where WAS could buy into the advocacy are:

* Working with the wives of traditional leaders in the six Area Councils of the FCT. The forum is coordinated by the wife of the Ona of Abaji. WAS also penetrates the grassroots through the Women Development Officers (WDOs) in the six Area Councils for women's empowerment, etc.

* The Accelerators' Programme for the training of 40+ young ladies in life skills in order to accelerate the process towards gender equity and eventual equality. This is in collaboration with UN Women, Abuja

* The yearly celebration of 16 Days' Activism Against Gender Based Violence (GBV)

* WAS has been identified by the World Bank as the hub/platform for the actualisation and implemantation of the contents of the Disability Act in the FCT. Furthermore, it's worthy of note that the Disability Unit is situated in the Mandate Secretary's Office. A three-day program on the Disability Act, sponsored by the World Bank was held last month.

* WAS shall soon publish her own simplified version of the VAPP Act and Child Rights Act.

The government agencies, and indeed NGOs were admonished to indentify specific aspects of their work that could significantly contribute to the domestication of the MP effectively in practice. A major outcome of the meeting was the resolve to revitalise the existing coalition for the MP in Nigeria - CODMAP. WAS and other agencies were admitted into the ad hoc Steering Committee for the effective domestication of the MP. The representative of WRAPA (Women's Rights Advancement & Protection Alternative) informed us that a simplified version of the MP has been published by their organisation.

Then the selected female politicians from the six Area Councils of the FCT who had been trained for 12 weeks under the auspices of BAOBAB were unveiled. One of their mentors/trainers, Hon. Bunmi Adelugba, first female Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly was present at the meeting. She recounted her experiences during the mentorship programme. The mentees also put on record their challenges, gains and hope for the future.

L-R: Hon. Bunmi Adelugba (First female Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly & one of the mentors for the young female politicians in the FCT during the twelve week programme) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

On the whole, the parley achieved its aims. A steering committee was set up to accelerate the process. There is buy-in from both government agencies and CSOs. There's commitment to re-vitalise the existing coalition for the effective domestication of the MP. Let's keep the momentum towards making the MP a household concept via ensuring the MP is effectively understood and disseminated in the FCT and indeed Nigeria...

   

NIGERIA: A PEER REVIEW COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE FOR SGBV

 A Peer Review Community Sexual & Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Data Integrity Pledge Commitment (a.k.a. The Rockview Accord) was signed by stakeholders in Abuja on the 11th of February 2025. It was convened by Hadis Foundation in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and International Institute for Democracy & Electoral Assistance (IDEA). The Preamble of the Pledge was:

'We, the undersigned members of the High Level Multi-Agency Team (HI-MAT) and the Service Provider Accountability Resource Committee (SPARC), across states hereby pledge our unwavering commitment to the establishment and implementation of a robust Peer-Review Community of Practice (PRCP). This pledge is rooted in our shared vision to enhance data accountability, improve the prevention of SGBV and ensure justice for survivors and families affected by SGBV across Nigeria...'

The collectice Vision, exact meaning of  a PRCP, raison d'etre for a PRCP, rules guiding the PRCP, reward for commitment and what members were committing to were clearly spelt out. Some of the state HI-MAT and SPARC present were: Adamawa, Edo, Ekiti and Kwara

L-R: Barr. Shirley Atame (she emerged Chairperson, of the Peer-Review Community of Practice for SGBV Data Integrity. Shirley is the representative of Ekiti state govt) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

The Leadership of the Community of Practice is as follows:

*Chairperson: Ekiti state - Barr. Shirley Atame

*Secretary: FCT - Sunday Agbabiaka

*Member: Adamawa state - Amos Yusuf Sunday

*Member: Anambra state - Yohana Rachael

*Member: Edo state - Esohe Uwuigbe

*Member: Kano state - Barr. Fatima Ahmad

*Member: Kwara state - Funke Banjo

In her opening remarks, Founder Hadis Foundation, Dr. Amina Salihu aptly described herself as an 'Activator Feminist' who is a catalyst for noble causes like the SGBV Community of Practice. At the panel discussion, various states highlighted their challenges with more advanced states in the SGBV Data Integrity journey sharing their experiences as to how they navigated difficult terrains. There were issues about Situation Rooms, Relationship between HI-MAT and SPARC, the fact that donors do not support the release of data generated through funding by them, irregularity of meetings between HI-MAT and SPARC in states, etc.

What then was the adopted action plan?

* Participating states should form a WhatsApp or Telegram group

* A reward sysytem for best-performing states should be instituted

* There should be sanctions for non-performing states

* There should be quarterly meetings between HI-MAT and SPARC in states. At the national level, there should be yearly convening. 

* Awareness should be created about the need for inter-agency collaboration on data

* Google forms should be made available to fill in in-coming reports

The idea of the PRCP is indeed commendable. The current high tempo should be maintained in order to ensure the integrity of data in the SGBV millieu. I congratulate all the elected officers and wish them a successful tenure in the service of the nation...  

NIGERIA: FIRST HANDBOOK ON ETHICAL AI

 Between February 13th to 16th 2025, I was a major stakeholder at the 'Build Tech Camp' (BTC) held at Ibeto Hotel, Abuja. The Camp was organized by Hadis Foundation in collaboration with Luminate Foundation. The aim of the BTC was the Training of Trainers (ToT) who would eventually step down the knowledge acquired in their constituencies. The project is under the 'Building Agency through Ethical Tech Application across Universities' (Build Tech) Project funded by Luminate Foundation.

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, experiencing Virtual Reality first hand, @ 67 years young, courtesy of 'Human Angle' 3D Tech. I was 'transported' via virtual reality to Maiduguri from Ibeto Hotel, Abuja. I 'witnessed' a day in the life of a family in the insurgency infested region! The experience felt so real...

Some of the Trainers were:

*Dr. Amina Salihu - Founder, Hadis Foundation

*Adeyemi Okediran

*Nurudeen Yakubu

*Chioma Aguiegbo

*Femi Olarinoye

*Human Angle Team -Virtual Reality Tech Firm

The ToT approach enables participants gain tools and extend their learning by training others while providing creative solutions. This would have a ripple effect on critical tech practices. The delegates were from two states in Nigeria: Kaduna and Kwara. 

The BTC sought to:

* Promote generational awareness and skill-enabling in tech for the public good.

*Equip youth leaders across diverse backgrounds with the competence to 

- navigate the online space ethically

- advocate an online safety culture

- raise awareness and generate public interest in tech use across sectors

* Test and refine the first-of-its-kind handbook on ethical tech in Nigeria

*Develop a network of ToT participants/leadres to diseminate technology at the grassroots.

*Gather feedback to enhance step-down training 

*Foster commitment to creating tech-based solutions for vulnerable and under-served communities

The major achievement of the BTC was that the first-of-its-kind 160 page Handbook on Ethical Use of Tech In Nigeria was throughly dissected and refined by the delegates in a 'democratic' setting. The process was inclusive and all comments, viewspoints, residual knowledge, etc were aired and debated. I look forward to the final version of the Handbook...

                                     Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa: 2nd day @ the Build Tech Camp

  
 

GENDER & HUMAN SECURITY: FOCUS ON WOMEN IN THE FCT

The title of this post is the subject matter of a three tier discourse which would climax in September 2024. What do I mean by the 'three tier discourse'? The parley started with focus group discussions (FGDs) with the youth, women and other stakeholders in the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria May 2024 - AMAC, Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. I am the Consultant to the Mandate Secretary (MS), Women Affairs Secretariat (WAS), FCT on Women, Peace & Security (WPS). The MS is Hon. Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi. 

The FGDs elicited the perspective of the Women Area Council Development Officers (WACDOs) about the security of women beyond perimeter fencing - human security (HS), which entails health, education, social services, legal framework, agriculture & food security, transport, etc. The discussions on the youth platform embraced other stakeholders on human security. On the 16th of May 2024, a day before my 66th birthday, I presented a paper on behalf of the MS at the Bwari Area Council as part of WAS's engagemnet with the youth and other critical stakeolders, titled: 'Empowering women as catalysts for community resilience: Safeguarding Abuja against kidnapping incidents'. The paper was well received. The Permanent Secretary (PS), Alhaji Rabiu Adetoyi Kolawole led our team to the event. The Coordinator of the events for the Youth Summit is Comrade Zaka Nehemiah Danmasani. Zaka was also a discussant at the '2nd tier Discourse' organised byWAS/University of Abuja on the 24th of June 2024. 

It was at the Bwaru Youth Summit on Security that the Minister of the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike was commended for boosting the security profile of Bwari and other Area Councils with motorcycles. I was also mentioned that Kigarko forest, at the boundary between Kargo Local Government (Kaduna state) and Bwari Area Council was a veritable insecurity hot spot! The wife of the District Head of Kawu, Alhaji Danjuma Dankawu, was kidnapped. As at the time of the Youth Summit, his wife was still held captive by the kidnappers. In spite of his predicament, Alhaji Dankawu was present at the Summit. It was also stated that Kuje, Bwari and Abaji were and are still the most vulnerable Area Councils.

Major takeaways from the Youth Summit are:

*Structural reforms are needed in the FCT in order to curb the level of insecurity.

*Urban poverty is a major cause of insecurity.

*There is an urgent need for Community Policing.

*There should be sustainable FCT surveillance.

*Upgraded infrastructure is unrgently needed (The feeder roads are vital)

*The FCT should adopt the Kebbi state approach: Death penalty for kidnappers' informants.

*There should be greater synergy via cooperation among the Area Councils of the FCT.

 

L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa (Consultant to MS WAS on WPS) whispering into the ear of MS WAS, FCTA, Hon. Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi @ the Pre-Conference Discourse held on the 24th of June, 2024. Venue: National Assembly Library, Three Arms Zone, Abuja. Photo taken during the '2nd tier' of consultation

The second leg of the discourse was the one-day Pre-Conference Discourse held in collaboration with the Centre for Gender Security Studies & Youth Advancement (CeGSSYAd), University of Abuja on the 24th of June @ the National Assembly Library, Abuja. Coincidentally, the 24th of June 2004 was also Alhaji Adetoyi Kolawole's 100th day in office as the Pioneer Permanent Secretary (PPS) WAS. We wish him a successful tenure. Some of the participants are:

*Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi - Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Abuja

*Alhaji Rabiu Adetoyi Kolawole - Permanent Secretary, WAS FCTA

*Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah - Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja

*Dr. Adamu Gwary - Director, Department of Security Services, FCT

*Rtd. Gen. Lucky Irabor - Former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

*Queen Hauwa Yunusa - Wife of the Ona of Abaji & Rep. of Wives of Traditional Leaders in the FCT

*Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya - CEO Women Radio

*Dr. Joseph Ochogwu (Rep. by Ms. Grace Awodu) - DG Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR)

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Consultant on WPS to MS WAS/NATO's Subject Matter Expert on Gender

*Prof. Hauwa'u Evelyn Yusuf - Keynote Speaker/Professor of Criminology & Gender Studies, Kaduna State University

*Dr. Gloria Shajobi-Ibikunle - Associate Professor/Director, CeGSSYAd, University of Abuja

*Ms. Lois Auta - Disability Advocate/ED Cedar Seed Foundation

*Dr. Jumoke Jenyo - Gender Desk Officer/HoD Conflict, Peacekeeping & Humanitarian Studies, Centre for Strategic Studies, National Defence College (NDC), Abuja

*Dr. Olayinka Falola-Anoemuah - National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA)

*Prof. Amina Mustapha - Deputy Director, Africa Centre for Excellence in Dry Land Agriculture, Bayero University, Kano (BUK)

*ACC Kemi Ajet - NSCDC

*Dr. Jimoh Yussuf - Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Urban & Regional Planning/Director, Migration Studies, University of Abuja

*Prof. Rafatu Abdulhamid - Professor of Islamic Thought & Gender Studies Programme Coordinator, CeGSSYAd, University of Abuja

*Dr. Peter Adeyanju - Dept. of Sociology, University of Abuja

*Mandate Secretaries for Health, Education, Agriculture & Social Development were represented.

*Leticia Bertrand - Chairperson AI for Africa Empowerment Foundation/AI Leadership Strategist & Coach

Extreme Left: Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na'Allah - VC Uniabuja (He was honoured @ the event for his firm stance against SGBV); Middle: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa; In Red: Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya - CEO Women Radio. The '2nd tier' of consultation

                             Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa @ the event: The '2nd tier' of consultation

L-R: Plain-clothed Police Officer from Force HQ giving some info to Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa. During the 2nd tier of consultation

Group photo @ the event: Middle Three L-R: Dr. Adamu Gwary (In light blue attire: Director, Dept. of State Security Servuces, FCT); Hon. Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi (MS WAS, FCTA); Alhaji Adetoyi Kolawole (PS WAS, FCTA). The '2nd tier' of consultation

A robust panel discussion was held with Dr. Benjamins-Laniyi as anchor. Various solutions were postulated in the following areas: Eduction, Health, Agriculrure & Food Security, Transport, Social Services, etc. In my presentation, I said that there is a triangle of criminality in the FCT viz; *The vulnerable victim (mostly women, children & PWDs); *A predator enabled by *A conducive environment for crime to thrive. Then I asked the rhetorical question: How do we paralyse the third leg of the equation in order to ensure that the environment no longer enables the activities of criminals: kidnappers, bandits, terrorists, abductors, farmer-herder conflicts, etc? I hope I get a viable answer at our main Conference coming up in September 2024.

Meanwhile, the Secretariats of the FCTA were given the task of elucidating Road Maps for comprehensive human security from the particular lens of their Mandate. To be sure, such Road Maps are to be presented at the main Conference slated for September. This would be the third and final leg of the discourse. We specially thank Dr. Adamu Gwary (Director, Department of Security Services, FCT), for being at the Pre-Conference Discourse throughout in spite of his very busy schedule. His valuable conributions immensely enriched the discourse. All hands are on deck to ensure that the much anticipated conference is not just a talk shop, but a platform from which viable solutions are provided for sustainable human security in the FCT...

L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Dr. Gloria Shajobi-Ibikunle (Associate Professor/Director CeGSSYAd, University of Abuja). The '2nd tier' of consultation

                                     The flier for the Discourse for the '2nd tier' of consultation

Pre-Discourse preparatory meeting with some Women Community Development Officers from the Area Councils (AMAC, Bwari & Kwali) & Collaborating institution, University of Abuja. Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa is @ the head of the table. Part of '1st tier' of consultation

Preparatory meeting for the Pre-Conference Discourse with Uniabuja & Women Community Development Officers (WCDOs). This was part of the 'first tier' of consultation.

                       Nigeria TV Authority's report on the Discourse. The '2nd tier' of consultation

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa speaking @ the Pre-Discourse Preparatory meeting. Part of the '1st tier' of consultation

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, speaking @ the youth engagement in Bwari Area Council on the 16th of May 2024. She presented the paper: 'Empowering women as catalysts for community resilience: Safeguarding Abuja against kidnapping incidents'. This was part of the 'first tier' engagement for the conference on 'Gender & human security: Focus on women in the FCT'.

In Bwari Area Council on the 16th of May 2024 @ the '1st tier' consultation with the youth & other stakeholders. Photo L-R: Alhaji Rabiu Adetoyi Kolawole, Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido (Former Chairman Bwari Area Council) & a traditional leader

 

  

BARRIERS TO WOMEN's FREEDOM OF SPEECH & PARTICIPATION IN DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA

The above title was the subject matter of a research project executed by Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre (WARDC) and Women for Women International (WfWI). The disemination of the research findings was at Chelsea Hotel, Abuja on the 7th of May 2024. There were a number of 'Change Agents' from Plateau state in the room. They had earlier undergone training for their role.

L-R: Mrs. Bukola Onyinsi, Country Director Women for Women International (WfWI) & Dr. Dayo Kusa

Some of the participants are:

*Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi - Founding ED WARDC

*Mrs. Bukola Onyinsi - Country Director WfWI

*Hon. Miriam Onuoha - House of Representatives Chairperson on TETFUND

*Hon. (Dr) Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi - PMS, WAS FCT

*Hon. Abiodun Essiet - SSA to the President on Community Engagemant (North Central)

*Representative of the Clerk of the House of Reps Committee on Women Affairs

*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Consultant to PMS, WAS FCT

Dr. Dayo Kusa with one of the young Change Agents from Plateau State in a mother-daughter pose

Research Findings:

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi disseminated the research findings. The research was completed in six months last year. The survey was on women's participation in democracy in Nigeria. The quest was to find out the impediments to active participation of women with Plateau state as a case study. Chapter 4 of the Nigerian Constitution clearly states the right to association and assembly by citizens. But the language used in the Constitution is problematic: not gender friendly. For example: 'He shall become the Governor', 'Chairman', etc.

250 persons from 3 Senatorial districts constituted the sample. There were 10 focal group discussions (FGDs). Women from Jos, Plateau state are a unique demographic - industrious and resilient. Plateau state passed the Gender & Equal Opportunity Bill into law over six years ago. Mr. Peter, a prominent official in an international NGO facilitated the proceess of fast tracking the passage of the Bill into Law. Note that Plateau state is a civil service state. The state also has few natural resorces.

The research is a call to action thus:

*Women should collaborate more with he for shes who are willing to advance their cause. This worked in Plateau state.

*We should never lose sight of UNSCR 1325. Involve more women in peace processes in peace/war/conflict time.

*Cultural norms are barriers to the advancement of women, but we should hasten to 'abolish' them cautiously. Confrontation does not always achieve the desired results. Lobbying and other more subtle routes could help like in Plateau state.

*Institutional constraints are also worrisome. This is not surprising because we are still in a patrirchal society. We need to strategise more to bring women into politics. She who wears the shoes knows where it pinches.

*Negative masculinity needs to be isolated and addressed. More of positive masculinity, please.

*We must always remember that women are not a homogeneous group. We should take this into consideration in our research.

*Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) is on the rise and it should be given urgent attention...

*We should identify the areas of intervention if we wish to change negative norms in our society.

*For future research, Women With Disability (WWD) should constitute a veritable sample for investigation...

We await the distribution of the hard copies of the text of the reseaarch report. The soft copies have landed in our emails. Kudos to WARDC and WfWI...

                                           Dr. Dayo Kusa chilling @ the end of the meeting...

 

THE ABUJA ACCELERATOR: COHORT 1

On the 1st of May 2024, The Abuja Accelerator Cohort 1 was endorsed by UN Women at the Babatunde Osotimehin Hall, UN House, Abuja. This was the second leg of a process which began on the 19th of March 2024 at the same venue. The March event was a hybrid one, where 35 members of the Cohort, chosen on account of a rigorous proceess, converged at UN House Abuja to view the Side Event put together by the Pioneer Mandate Secretary (PMS) of the Women Affairs Secretariat (WAS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja - Hon. (Dr) Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi. The number of Cohort members increased to 40 when 5 Women With Disability (WWD) were added to the list. The Side Event took place in New York on the sidelines of the Convention on the Status of Women (CSW 68) which was held between the 11th and 22nd of March 2024. It was the very first showing of the brand new WAS FCT at CSW!

What exactly is the Abuja Accelerator: Cohort 1? Put simply, it symbolises a set of females in their twenties and thirties who were selected for a ten-month intensive mentoring programme which would prepare them for their role as accelerators of the 'race' towards gender equity and eventually gender equality in Nigeria and beyond. The idea is to set up a formidable Faculty of tried and tested individuals, mostly females, who have excelled in their chosen fields...

L-R: Dr. Dayo Kusa, A member of Abuja Accelerator - Cohort 1 & Ms. Inimfon Etuk (Anchor)

Some of the participants are:

*40 members of The Abuja Accelerator - Cohort 1

*Ms. Beatrice Eyong - Country Representative, UN Women Nigeria & ECOWAS

*Hon. (Dr) Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi - Pioneer Mandate Secretary (PMS), WAS FCT

*Amb. (Dr) Maureen Tamuno - MD, Abuja Investment Company Ltd.

*Dr. Hansatu Adegbite - ED, WimBiz

*Dr. Naomi Osemedua - Two-time Ted-X Speaker & Cohort 1 Coordinator

*HRH Queen Hauwa Kalu Adamu Ibrahim - Wife of the Paramount Ruler (Ona) of Abaji, a.k.a. Queen of Abuja

*Ms. Tokunbo Chiedu - ED, Compact Global Business Services

*Dr. Jumoke Oduwole - Special Adviser to the President on PEBEC

*Edidiong Idang - Social Development Specialist, ASR Africa & Founder, Initiative for Peace & Women's Rights in Africa

*Dr. Dayo Kusa - Consultant on Women, Peace & Security to PMS, WAS FCT

*Ada Amadi - Company Secretary, Abuja Investment Company Ltd

*Rotimi Olawale - Consultant

*Ms. Inimfon Etuk - Anchor

Most of the mentees listed above rendered motivational speeches at the event. An MoU was signed betweem WAS FCT and UN Women. Huray, The Abuja Accelerator: Cohort 1 was born. I'm convinced that in another one year, we will have well groomed members of the Cohort who have acquired skills beyond our imagination and ready to take up the task of 'accelerating the race towards geder equality...'

Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa speaking @ the podium - Babatude Osotimehin Hall (UN House), Abuja

BAOBAB & WOMEN'S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

 A roundtable strategy meeting on women's political participation and leadership in Nigeria: The road to 2027 was held by BAOBAB (for women's human rights) at Valencia hotel, Abuja. The meeting was a follow-up to a similar one held by BAOBAB between the 25th and 26th of October 2023 on National leadership and advocacy for women in politics.

Some of the participants are:

*Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami (BDS) - ED BAOBAB

*Hon. Victor Obuzor - Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Civil Society & Development Matters

*Hon. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi - Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Represented by Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa 

*Adebowale Olorunmola - Country Director, Westminster Foundation Nigeria

*Ms. Ene Ede - Chief Facilitator, Equity Advocates

*Dorothy Aken'Ova - Facilitator

*Chief Ronke Okusanya - Chair, APC Elders' Forum, Ekiti state

               L-R: Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami (ED BAOBAB & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa

BDS gave an overview of the Research Report on Women's inclusion in politics focused on Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria for which she was the Lead Researcher. The parameters interrogated in the course of the research were:

*Quality of women's participation

*Structures, institutions and practices 

*Limiting factors

*Excuses for inclusion

BDS assessed the People's Democratic Party (PDP) on behalf of Nigeria. Nigeria's showing on the inclusivity percentage list is indeed uninspiring. some of the figures are:

*Nigeria - 5.5%

*Ghana - 14.6%

*Morocco - 20.5%

*Malawi - 23%

*Angola - 30%

*Tanzania - 36.9%

*South Africa - 44%

*Namibia - 46%

The limiting factors included lack of:

*Political will

*Actualisation of the Maputo Protocol Art 9:26 (ratified by Nigeria 19 years ago)

*Enabling environment

*Prebendalism (money politics)

*Willingness by women to participate in politics like men

*Elimination of violence and intimidation of women in politics

*Internal Political Party democracy

What then are the strategies in other African countries that make them succeed as regards inclusivity, where Nigeria fails?

*Affirmative Action in Electoral Laws

*Voluntary quotas in Political Parties (e.g. Malawi)

*Women pay just a fraction of the cost of nomination forms and waivers/rebate on cost of application forms (e.g. Nigeria). But many female politicians say that this 'privilege' has become a liability because they have lost their voices at the negotiation table on account of this...

*CSOs invest in women's mobilisation

*Economic empowerment of women

*Recognition for male champions

*Training in media reportage of women in politics

*Safe spaces for women in Electoral Laws

*Mentorship of young female politicians by more experienced and older ones. Reverse mentorship of the older politicians by the younger ones in ICT, AI, etc

*Campaign School for female candidates

*Academy for young women in politics

*Correct historical records about the contribution of women to the democratic process

*Sensitisation at the Local Government level

*Use of digital tools and positive disruption of the political process

*Balance collaboration with confrontation

*Appointment of more women into appointive positions

*Engendering of positive masculinity

*Legislators and other women in politics taking their male counterparts to lunch/dinner for de-briefing about the inclusion of women in politics

The tips above, as elicited from the workshop for the effective inclusion of women in politics are by no means exhaustive but could be a baseline for the achievement of the desired goal...