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 adopy 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...

 

ABUJA MUSICAL SOCIETY (AMEMUSO) & AN AFRICAN VERSION OF 'THE SOUND OF MUSIC'

The 2023 edition of the yearly Opera Abuja was held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel on the 26th of November. Opera Abuja has been on for 16 years with the generous support of Transcorp Hilton Hotel and other corporate organisations. The Chair of this year's edition was Hon. Nawuba, Chairman of the National Assembly Library. 

The setting of this year's performance is the era immediately preceding World War II. Captain Vontrab, head of the Vontrab family set a very strict code of conduct for his seven adorable children after their mother's demise. The grand performance was a fusion of music, story-telling and journey into some tragic endeavours. Maria, an ebullient young nun from the Coventry, was already identified as non-conformist, multi-talented, avant-garde and adventurous by the Reverend Sisters. Maria was therefore the unanimous, natural choice when the 'disciplinarian' Captain Vontrab approached the Coventry for a Governess for his children while he would be away at the war front.

                                Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa's look at the AMEMUSO Opera

Then came Maria into Captain Vontrab's home. Maria was given strict instructions about how to be an effective Governess to the Captain's children. But as soon as the Captain left for the war front, things took a completely different turn. At first, there was resistance from the kids, one of them said rather ruefully and the others concurred: 'I don't need a Governess.' Then the storm was quite virulent one memorable night, akin to Abuja style of storm. The kids were afraid while seeking and indeed finding solace in the embrace of their brand new Governess, Maria, who they initially resisted. From then on, the emotional bond between Maria and the Captain's children blossomed!

   L-R: Mr. Islam & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa on the red carpet @ the AMEMUSO Opera

It was to an unexpected surprise new configuration in his household that Captain Vontrab returned after his sojourn at the battlefield. First shocker: The children and indeed Maria, were not in the house when he returned. They were out in the woods! This obliterates the disciplined lifestyle instilled in the kids by the Captain: the children were never to leave the house under any circumstance, since they were home-schooled. They were to be summoned to the Captain's presence by the sound of their father's whistle. 2nd shocker: Maria returned with the kids from the woods to the house without any sense of remorse for flouting the Captain's orders. Maria even had the effrontery to challenge the Captain about his draconian administration of his household. No one had ever challenged the Captain frontally in his own home like that before!

But in all these, Captain Vontrab was already secretly admiring Maria's bravery and the enviable bond between her and his children. He was beginning to secretly fall in love with Maria! Could Maria also be surreptitiously admiring the Captain? The narrator said: 'Maria found another kind of love other than that of the Creator'...This new kind of love was too much for Maria to internalise. So, she ran away, back to the Coventry. When Mother Superior at the Coventry deciphered Maria's reason for escaping from the Captain's home, she told her pointblank: 'Here is not to be used as an escape. Maria, are you in love with the Captain? These walls aren't meant to shut troubles out...You must find yourself. Follow every rainbow till you find your dream.

                          The wedding of Captain Vontrab & Maria as captured by me on stage

Alas, Maria was sent back to Captain Vontrab's house. There, finally, their love blossomed and the children were the happier for it. For the kids, Maria, their brand new stepmother rescued them from the regimented and plastic existence to which they were subjected by their father before the arrival of Maria as their Governess and eventual stepmother. Even the stiff Captain returned to a softer life at home, though he was a Military Officer during World War II. Captain Vontrab rekindled his guitar-playing skills with the encouragement of his new and loving bride, Maria...And they lived happily ever after...The Chair of the Board of Trustees of AMEMUSO/Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Hon. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi gave the vote of thanks...

The infusion of authentic African music, Afrobeat into the mix of the Opera arrangement for the Sound of Music was the high point of the performance for me. This gave the 'theatrical delivery' a Nigerian underbelly which made me so elated. I look forward to the 2024 edition... 

  

THE 5 GENDER BILLS IN NIGERIA: STATUS & POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS (PEA)

The contentious five Gender Bills rejected by the National Assembly (NASS) last year were x-rayed on the 23rd of November 2023 at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Centre, Abuja. The event was the launch of social media action and signature campaign on the 5 Gender Bills. The campaign was led by Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre (WARDC), ably supported by GENDER Mobile, SAGE, Womanifesto (A Women's Charter of Demand) and NCAA. The sponsors of the event were USAID and Palladium. I was a valued participant at the meeting.

Photo L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, Dr. Abiola Akiyode (ED WARDC) & Ms. Lydia Odeh (Chief of Party, Palladium)

One million signatories were sought for the campaign. The Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Hon. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi promised to join the campaign via the Secretariat for the mobilisation of women in the FCT. What manner of engagements were to be deployed forthwith? 

*Working with the National Coalition on Affirmative Action (NCAA) and SAGE

*Cluster coaching

*Strategic engagements with women from the 36 states of the federation

*Roundtable with media chiefs (build the capacity of journalists)

*Cultivate viable social media influencers

*Liaise with relevant private sector organisations (WIMBIZ, WISCAR, etc)

*Legislative visits to the National Assembly while especially cultivating the Chairperson, Women in Parliament

*Social media engagements via Twitter (X), Facebook, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Blogs, etc

*PEA/Roundtable conversations with female legislators

*Create public awareness via Radio jingles, TV programmes, community outreach, etc

                                             L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Dr. Biola Akiyode

Chief of Party, Palladium, Lydia Odeh was quite impressed about WARDC's Gender Bills' Response Cluster. The world is increasingly inter-connected. We need to mobilise a collective voice for change. There should be safe spaces (special seats) for women at the NASS. We should sustain the momentum of the campaign as regards the Five Gender Bills. The campaign continues on the corridors, at strategic meetings, in open spaces, etc. until the 5 Gender Bills are passed by the NASS.

                      Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa, same day, after the parley on the 5 Gender Bills

                             Published 'Situation Report' on the 5 Gender Bills in Nigeria

 

VOICE OF WOMEN (VOW) CONFERENCE & EMPOWERMENT

 The Voice of Women (VOW) conference is an annual gathering of women and he for she's for the advancement of the female gender and indeed humanity. The seventh edition of the VOW initiative was held at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) Centre, Abuja on the 25th of October 2023. Kudos to Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya, the humble and self-effacing CEO of the very first and only Women's Radio so far in Nigeria for painstakingly putting together this remarkable programme yearly! I was a valued participant.

This year's edition was chaired by Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, former First Lady of Ekiti state. In her enervating speech, Erelu noted that Nigeria features poorly on most global indicators measuring Gender Equality and Women's Empowermnet (GEWE). The most recent Global Gender Gap Index (GGGI) 2023, ranks Nigeria 130th out of 146 countries! The GGGI tracks Economic opportunities, Education, Health and Political leadership. Nigeria has one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the world at 12% of global figures, right after India that has 17%. Nigeria also has the highest number of child brides at 22 million, the highest in Africa and 11th globally! With this dismal picture of the plight of the female gender in Nigeria, many of the speakers proffered their solutions... 

L-R: Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa & Counsellor Yemi Adenuga (1st Irish-Nigerian Counsellor in Ireland)

Some of the participants are:

*Alh. Ibrahim Shettima - VP, Nigeria, Represented by Dr. Salma Ibrahim - Special Assistant to the President on Health

*Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya - Convener/CEO Women Radio

*Erelu Bisi Fayemi - Chairperson/Former 1st Lady of Ekiti state

*Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq - Governor, Kwara state

*Hon. Maureen Magreth Hinda-Mbuende - Deputy Minister of Finance & Public Enterprises, Namibia

*Dr. Margaret Karungaru - Commissioner, National Gender & Equality Commission (NGEC), Kenya

*Counsellor Yemi Adenuga - Councillor, Meath County Council, Ireland

*Mufuliat Fijabi - ED, Sustainable Gender Action Initiative (SGAI)

*Amb. Prof. Olufolake Abdulrasaq - Chairperson Nigeria Governors' Wives Forum

*Chief Mary-Maudline Nwifuru - 1st Lady, Ebonyin state

*Hajia Zainab Nasir - 1st Lady, Kebbi state

*Barr. Chioma Uzodimma - 1st Lady, Imo state

*Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun - 1st Lady, Ogun state

*Hon. Nkiruka Onyejeocha - Minister of state, Nigeria

*Dame Pauline Tallen - Former Minister of Women  Affairs  

                                                            The conference brochure

Mrs. Yemi Adenuga, the first Irish-Nigerian to become a Counsellor in Ireland said as a mother of two sons and two daughters, she started by working in schools. She addressed the issue of bullying in school. It took over two years of persuasion before the schools could open up to her to make a positive impact on the issue of bullying. Kids of colour were routinely victimised in schools. Yemi built roots for her children in Ireland. She founded 'Sheroes.' She also got involved in the Black Irish Sisters' network. Yemi joined Fingel, the ruling Party in Ireland.

Yemi said she did it afraid - campaigning as a black, inexperienced politician. She gave the following advice to incoming politicians: *No one will hand power to you a la carte, fight for it and take it by force. *Be strategic *She never thought she could be a politician, but the living conditions of blacks (especially black females) in Ireland triggered her interest in politics. *She had a supportive husband *Wanted a bigger platform to do good in the society. *Encountered extreme discrimination and racism. *It was very difficult canvassing. * Yemi campaigned from door-to-door. *Don't let distractions get to you. *Women should support their own. *But the Black community did not automatically support her. *Start your campaign early. *Encourage/teach women to register to vote and win their 'pain points.' *Lift people out of poverty. Yemi gave full support for the women agenda in Nigeria.

                                                  Dayo @ the venue of the VOW conference

There was the fire side chat with Fellows of the McArthur Foundation. The theme of the parley was 'leveraging on technology.' The section was anchored by Ajibola Hamzat from the African Centre for Investigative Journalism, The Fellows used journalism as a tool for interrogating social issues, The Fellows were:

*Angela Apollo

*Hadiza

*Yahaya Abubakar

*Blessing Oladunjoye

                                  L-R: Mrs. Moji Makanjuola (Broadcast journalist) & Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa   

HIV positive Boko Haram survivors in Kano were studied. It was a difficult exercise, since many of them tried to hide their identity because of the stigma attached to their condition. Also in Kano newly married wives who get pregnant are forced to abort such pregnancies by their husbands! Education is inaccessible to them. There's a high rate of divorce in Kano state. In Imo state, the sit-at-home order has eaten into the capital of abacha (local salad) sellers significantly. From the hinterland to Owerri, shops are closed. Those who contributed to Esusu (thrift cooperative) could not be paid.

The budget for education in many states is only 1%. In some communities, there's no Secondary school. Girls embark on very long walks to school and they could be raped, beaten and/or killed on their way to and from school. Some solutions were proffered: Community policing should be embraced; Nnamdi Kanu should be released; Hisba (local police) should continue to stand in the gap, while being less

dramatic.

Governor Abdurahman Abdulrazaq, Governor of Kwara state was the formidable he for she at the event. There is six months maternity leave for women in Kwara state. Constituency that features highest number of women in elections receives $5m. $3m is given for transparency in budgeting. This is a whole lot of encouragement for women in Kwara state. 

There was experience sharing by delegates from other African states: 

Namibia is number one in Africa and number six in the world as regards the inclusion of women in decision-making and governance. There are numerous revolving loans for micro-credit for women. There are also many housing schemes for the female gender. There are many female-headed households. There are cross-cutting interventions all over the country. Four seats are reserved for women in each County. Humility is silent strength. If you are humble, you can carry your male counterparts along.

Kenya: The head of the National Gender & Equity Commission is a woman. Women are constantly negotiating with men for more inclusion.

Liberia: There are Constitutional provisions for the inclusion of women in the political space. There are schemes for the financial inclusion of women. One female legislator can take at least three men to lunch in order to facilitate effective lobbying for greater inclusivity for women...

The camaraderie exhibited at the conference between and among Nigerian female legislators and decision-makers and their counterparts from other African countries was indeed a pleasing sight to behold. This trend needs to continue. Thanks to Toun Okewale-Sonaiya and her team for bringing women's issues to the fore through her Radio station, W FM 91.7 and yearly VOW conference...