Ahead of marking Pan African Women’s Day, I was delighted to be invited by the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILDS) with the support of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women Nigeria) and the Government of Canada, to deliver a goodwill statement and keynote presentation on ‘Strategies For Advancing Gender-Responsive Legislation’.

Delivered by Ms. Inimfon Etuk @inimfonetuk as my Special Representative on Gender & Women’s Political Participation, Policy Advocate, and Founder She Forum Africa, my presentation traced the milestones and learnings garnered in Nigeria’s path to women’s leadership of gender legislation; the 2015 Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill (GEOB) advocacy and introduced Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) as a strategic policy tool to systematically mainstream gender into government policy, planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and audits.

I am heartened that my highlighted call-to-action on female legislators to synergise effort in redefining and promoting a common agenda of gender parity, irrespective of political affiliation, religion, ethnic background, or other differences by evolving a robust Women Legislative Caucus to strengthen the ability to take a common position on critical national issues affecting women and girls and to speak with one voice, was well received and prioritised for actionable next steps as part of the workshop’s resolutions.

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa is committed to advocating for gender equality, supporting women, children, and families in Africa. Our policy goals include contributing to the African Women Leaders Network and Nigeria’s Country Mobilisation for the ICPD25 International Conference on Population and Development Commitments.

The workshop was hosted by Professor Abubakar O. Sulaiman, Director-General of National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILDS), Eyong Beatrice, Country Representative UN Women Nigeria, supported by the Government of Canada.

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