Between the 17th and 18th of December, 2020, the 'Annual Women's Conference' with theme: 'Engendering a formidable force for gender equality' was held at the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Abuja. The parley was convened by Women's Voice & Leadership Nigeria (WVLN) Project,100 Women Lobby Group & Women in Politics Forum (WIPF). It was supported by Global Affairs Canada & Action Aid. Some of the sub-themes are: Women's political participation, Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Economic justice, The role of He for She, Peace/Security and Media. The Nigeria Women Aspirants' Website was launched! The first stanza of the 'Women's Anthem' below, sets the tone:
Women's Anthem
All across the nation, all around the world
Women are longing to be free
No longer in the shadows, forced to stay behind
But side by side in true equality...
Some of the participants are:
*Dame Pauline Tallen - Minister for Women Affairs
*Dr. Oby Ezekwesili - Chair & Founder, Fix Politics/Former Minister for Education & Solid Minerals
*Iyom Josephine Anenih - Former Minister of Women Affairs
*Barr. Mary Ekpere-Eta - DG NCWD
*Ms. Ene Obi - Country Director, Action Aid
*Mrs. Felicia Onibon - National Coordinator, 100 Women Lobby Group/Founder & President Change Managers International Network
*Dr. Dayo Oluyemi-Kusa - Independent Consultant/Conflict Transformation Expert
*Prof Laide Adedokun - LASU
*Barr. Ebere Ifendu - President, Women in Politics Forum (WIPF)
*Mrs. Moji Makanjuola (MFR) - Veteran Broadcaster
*Prof. Joy Ezeilo - UNN
*Prof. Bunmi Ashimolowo - Discussant
*Prof. Yinka Omoregbe - Discussant
*Dr. Lydia Umar - Discussant
*Austin Aigbe - CDD
*Hon. Sarah Ochekpe - Discussant
*Hon. Titilayo Akerele - National Director, NILOWV
Each of the sub-themes was exhaustively discussed. On SGBV, the concensus was that the launching of the website for sex offenders since 2015 is a watershed in the fight against SGBV. See for example: Nigeria launches first national sex offenders register (25th November, 2019) aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/26/nigeria-launches-first-national-sex-offenders-register
This online register, which is visible to the whole world, ensures that there is no hiding place for sex offenders! See also: GBV in film: Sandra's Cross dayokusa.blogspot.com/2018/12/gender-based-violence-in-film-sandras.html; The Gender Hub (GH): A viable tool for networking among stakeholders dayokusa.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-gender-hub-gh-viable-tool-for.html; Kaduna stste Governor passes castration law for rape https://www.republicworld.com/worldnews/africa/nigeria-governor-passes-castration-law-for-rape/; All 36 state Governors declare state of emergency over rape https://www.voanews.com/africa/all-36-nigeria-governors-declare-state-of-emergency-over-rape; SGBV during Covid-19 https://theconversation.com/sexual-gbv-covid-19/
On the role of He4She, it was unanimously agreed that gender friendly males need to support the clamour for equality. Women cannot do it alone, they need the support of the men. On economic justice, the panelists said that women should be given equal access to opportunities/loans/training, etc. Besides, the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the fact that 'digital marketing' is it. On peace and security, it was said that the WPS agenda should be executed via a viable road map. See for example: UNSCR 1325 @ 20: The role of women in the security sector dayokusa.blogspot.com/2020/11/unscr-1325-20-role-of-women-in-security.html
Prof. Joy Ezeilo gave a good account of herself and her formidable team when she presented the report of their research on 'Beijing + 25' via Zoom. She revealed a number of shocking data/information from the research viz; 56% of respondents were Christians, 48% were NCE/OND holders, 47% were married, ages of respondents: 18 - 58 years, 81% never heard of FGM/child marriage/mental abuse/incest! Majority of respondents said poverty was a major cause of SGBV. Many alluded to poor response from government to SGBV. Many suggested 'modest dressing' for women. 78% had never heard of Beijing+ 25!
Research methodology: Multi-stage random cluster sampling, Random selection of states for study, Zoom (online) training for data gatherers, Computer analysis - coding/SPSS/% frequency/tables/charts/quantitative data. Challenges: Information consent, Challenges of Covid-19, review of extant literature, Feminist theory, Conflict theory, etc.
Suggestions: More awareness needs to be created about the signposts of the Beijing conference held 25 years ago! NGOs should use the multi-media approach to disseminate extant information. The SDGs should be continually popularised. Adequate punishment of offenders would mitigate impunity as regards SGBV. For more effective detection, investigation and prosecution of SGBV cases, raw evidence should be conserved, investigation should be diligent, forensic investigation should be carried out by experts, community policing is essential, there should be synergy on effort to curb SGBV, etc.
FeministHub.org was launched. I look forward to the next edition of the Women's Conference in 2021...
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