The Adamawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, in partnership with UN Women and with funding from the German Government, is taking significant steps to ensure the sustainability of its gender-responsive initiatives.
As the Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project in Nigeria (Phase II) approaches its closure in December 2024, stakeholders gathered at City Green Hotel on October 17th to review progress and strategize for the future.
Representatives from key networks, including Media, HeforShe, Women Mentors, and other partners, came together to assess the project’s impact under the coordination of the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Mr. Mustapha Shallangwa, representing HeforShe, explained that the meeting was aimed at reviewing the contributions of these networks to the project and identifying any gaps.
“We are evaluating our activities and challenges to determine the way forward before the project ends,” Shallangwa said.
He rated the program as highly successful, especially in its efforts to raise awareness about sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women, girls, and even boys.
“Many often overlook that boys can also be victims of sexual violence, and we’ve done substantial sensitization on this issue,” he noted.
The project’s awareness efforts have reached a broad audience, including teachers, parents, students, traditional and religious leaders, and government officials.
Moving forward, Shallangwa emphasized the need for greater accountability and the dismantling of cultural and traditional barriers that prevent victims from pursuing justice.
Hon. Innocent Koto, Chairman of Numan Local Government Council, praised the efforts of the UN Women’s WPS program.
“Gender-based violence is a serious issue in my local government. I’ve come to this meeting to find a solution,” Koto said.
He mentioned that while the NGO ‘Uprising’ has made significant progress, the Numan Local Government Council has now taken over the funding of these initiatives.
Similarly, Sarah Samuel, Vice Chairman of Yola North Local Government, acknowledged that GBV remains a critical issue.
“Thankfully, our Chairman is capable, and I assure you he will handle it,” she said confidently.
The overarching goal of the Enhancing Gender-Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project is to create a security framework in Nigeria that is accountable and gender-responsive.
Key outcomes of the project include the reform of security sector policies to promote gender equality, empowering women in conflict-affected communities, and improving collaboration between security institutions to address the unique needs of individuals and communities.
UN Women Programme Analyst, Wasu Jacob Vanco, presented an overview of the project’s progress, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among the networks.
Participants also engaged in group activities to review their achievements and identify areas for improvement.
Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst Bashir Aliyu Umar guided participants through the process of drafting a coordination framework, outlining the roles and responsibilities of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Networks and strategic partners.
Roxie Ola-Akuma, UN Women’s Communication Specialist, reminded the media network to prioritize accuracy in reporting, particularly when it comes to information about supporting and funding partners. “Misinformation must be avoided at all costs,” she stressed.
As the project nears its conclusion, these efforts are setting the stage for sustainable gender-responsive initiatives in Adamawa State and beyond.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Stallion Times and is published from a syndicated feed.)
