Stakeholders harp on gender equity integration into priority policy areas in Nigeria

Stakeholders from various critical sectors in Nigeria—including ministries, agencies, gender equity experts, and NGOs—have engaged in discussions on integrating gender equity into priority policy areas to support overall development in sectors such as health, power, environment, and the national parliament.

The event, held at Rockview Classic Hotel in Abuja, was the 4th National Consultation Meeting/Policymakers’ Engagement Programme. It formed part of the Africa LEEPS project, which aims to strengthen knowledge translation with a focus on promoting gender equity at all stages of the policy-making process.

A gender expert from Makerere University, Uganda, Dr Anna Ninsiima, during her lecture at the programme, emphasised that gender equality is critical to achieving development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She noted that the UNDP recognises that sustainable human development cannot be fully realised unless women, men, boys, and girls are all able to contribute to their societies on an equal footing.

She further highlighted the impact of gender inequalities on women and girls, including low self-esteem, limited aspirations, dependency, low educational attainment, and the inability to reach their full potential.

Speaking on masculinities, Dr Ninsiima stated that when men resist gender equality, they tend to maintain the status quo, which is not only harmful to women’s well-being but also detrimental to men themselves. This resistance, she noted, can lead to negative outcomes such as having multiple sexual partners, increased stress, poor health-seeking behaviour, violence, and even premature death.

Professor Jesse Uneke, Vice-Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences and Founder/Director of the African Institute for Health Policy and Health Systems, Nigeria, delivered a lecture on “Gender Mainstreaming and Equity Analysis in Priority Policy Areas for the Development of the Policy Brief”. He explained that gender analysis involves examining differences in assigned gender roles, conditions, needs, participation rates, and access to resources and opportunities. He stressed that gender analysis is essential not only at the onset of policy design but also throughout the entire policy-making and implementation process.

On gender-responsive policy, Prof Uneke noted that such policies consider the interests and needs of both women and men, making them inclusive and sensitive to the diverse realities within the gender spectrum. He further explained that institutionalising gender mainstreaming involves incorporating a gender equality perspective at all stages and levels of policies, programmes, and projects.

The Vice-Chancellor outlined the objectives of gender mainstreaming, which include institutionalising gender equity and equality, embedding gender-sensitive practices and policies, and addressing hidden gender inequalities. He emphasised that integrating gender and equity into policy-making requires action at each stage: problem identification, policy design, policy adoption, policy implementation, and oversight.

In interviews following the event, participants—including Mrs Rosemary Nduoma from the National Assembly and Mr Ernest Agwu from the National Health Insurance Authority—expressed satisfaction with the workshop, describing it as timely, educative, informative, and strategic.

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The policymakers’ engagement featured group work focused on the priority areas of the participating ministries and the National Assembly. The National Assembly prioritised educational reforms and restructuring towards a regional system of government. The Federal Ministry of Power focused on clean energy technology and metering. The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare addressed increased utilisation of primary health care services, improved routine immunisation coverage, and the reduction of stock-outs of essential drugs and vaccines. The Federal Ministry of Environment concentrated on workforce development, health emergency preparedness, and clean air initiatives.

The event was organised by the LEEPS Project in collaboration with the African Institute for Health Policy and Health Systems, Nigeria, and the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP), Kenya, with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada.